Swaia - Indian Market

2009: E Newsletter #8

Dear Friends,

As we approach Indian Market next week it is a good time to reflect on the great gift we have in Native arts and culture. Throughout its nine decades SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market has served as the venue for the best of traditional and contemporary arts and continues to draw large audiences from around the country and world. It has also been an incredibly important for
Native self-expression and self-representation long before such terms or ideas were fashionable and in practice. Indian Market's success has been and will continue to be because of the
tremendous artistic legacies of individuals, families and communities.

SWAIA, Hotel Santa Fe and the New Mexico Department of Tourism will host a press and preview breakfast to official begin Indian Market week and receive proclamations from Governor
Richardson and the city of Santa Fe. Hotel Santa Fe and the Department of Tourism are hosting the breakfast on August 18 at 9:00 a.m. at the Hotel Santa Fe.

At the 2009 New Mexico Legislature a memorial was passed that proclaims the third week of August as Native Arts and Culture in recognition of the enduring and everlasting contributions of the
State's first residents. A Native Arts and Culture week offers enhanced opportunities for education, civic participation and partnership between local arts and culture organizations,
deepening regional cultural experiences for New Mexico residents and for visitors to the State. Native Arts and Culture week is scheduled to precede the renowned Santa Fe Indian Market.
Since 1922, the annual Indian Market has served as a showcase for the best of Native arts for people from throughout the world.
Indian Market is without peer in the United States and is New Mexico's largest annual cultural event. As the most prestigious
Indian art market it is appropriate to utilize its sizable draw as the keystone to an Indian arts week.

I am writing to you because you are an artist, collector, and/or supporter of Native arts and culture. Next week we will have a very
important opportunity to demonstrate our support and belief in Native arts.

I hope you will take a few moments to attend the breakfast next week -yes, I certainly understand how busy you are during and because of Indian Market -but please let's keep in mind our
community and how working together will increase our individual and collective abilities. By working together we can sustain,cultivate and grow the great gift of Indian Market and Native arts.

Please join us at the breakfast on Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00 am at the Hotel Santa Fe to show your support and to urge our governments to continue to provide vital monetary support.

With Best Regards,
Bruce


Who: Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) and the
Santa Fe Indian Market
What: Press Preview Breakfast. Indian Arts and Culture
Proclamation and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Where: Hotel Santa Fe, 1501 Paseo De Peralta Santa Fe, NM
87501
When: Tuesday, August 18. 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
How Much: Free


During the 2009 State Legislative Session, State Memorial 42 sponsored by Senator John Pinto was passed, and officially established the third week of August as Indian Arts and Culture
Week. Native communities will be officially recognized and honored for their significant contributions and critical role in New Mexico's
complex history.

Additionally, the Memorial confirms the Santa Fe Indian Market's role, since 1922, as a showcase for "the best of Native American arts and
crafts and is New Mexico's largest annual cultural event." The Memorial's designation of the full week before Santa Fe Indian
Market as "Indian Arts and Culture Week" further validates the Indian Market's central role in presenting and advocating Native arts and
culture. With the recent additions of literature, film, seminars and youth culture events the Indian Market is the most important and
remarkable Native arts and culture gathering in the world. It is an event whose economic on our local community is unrivaled. Recent
surveys by Randall Travel Marketing and Smith Travel Research suggest that the economic impact for overnight visitors (five nights
with two occupants) to the Indian Market is $66.1 million in Santa Fe alone. Indeed, estimates reveal that day visitors to the Indian Market
from surrounding communities including Albuquerque raised the total economic impact in Santa Fe to $81.47 million.

For 88 years, the Indian Market has introduced the world to Native arts and culture. It is the vehicle, which has supported Native communities unconditionally, and the most well respected platform for Native art and self- representation. The Santa Fe Indian Market is 12 years away from its centennial and this Memorial beholds the
history of Native art and will positively affect the lives of countless


SWAIA and Native Jackets would like to introduce the Limited Edition Santa Fe Indian Market Blanket produced by Pendleton. The blanket depicts an Avanyu or water serpent adopted from the first black-on-black pottery produced by San Ildefonso artists Julian and Maria Martinez. The original bowl was shown at the first Indian
Market in 1922. The blanket is the first of an anticipated Indian Market series of blankets and is the centerpiece of SWAIA's 2009 Merchandise.
The blanket is now available for pre-sale at www.nativejackets.com and www.swaia.org. The blanket will also be available at official
Indian Market Merchandise Booths. Be sure to browse all of our new merchandise while visiting the SWAIA website.


In conjunction with 2009 Indian Market, Wings of America and SWAIA will co-sponsor a two-mile Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, August 23, 2009, registration begins at 7:00 a.m. and the run/walk will begin
at 7:30 a.m. Start and registration will be located on the dirt lot of the Santa Fe Indian School, next to the Santa Fe Indian Hospital. The course travels north down Cerrillos Road and northeast on South Guadalupe to De Vargas Park. Bus tokens will be provided for runners/walkers
who need to return to their vehicles at the Indian School. Wings of America is a non-profit organization providing running clinics and related fitness programs to American Indian youth, using running as a catalyst to empower participants to take pride in themselves and their cultural identity. The program was initiated in Hopi in 1988 and now includes programs throughout the United States.
Wings runners have competed in races throughout the country and Europe and have qualified for events in Olympic trials. Proceeds will
benefit Wings runners participating in the 2010 USA Cross Country Championships in Spokane, Washington.

Early Bird registration fee is $15 and $20 on the day of the Fun Run/Walk. An entry form will be posted soon on the WingsofAmerica.org website. Additional information may be obtained by phoning the Wings of America office at 505-982-6761.
Participants will receive a Nike shirt (while supplies last) and will be eligible for door prizes. Water will be provided along the route.