Native Arts Grants

Native American art in the Northwest has always played a central role in all facets of Tribal life. Artists are important educators and opinion leaders in Tribal communities. Through art, people learn to imagine other ways of seeing, doing, and interacting with each other and the environment.

Potlatch Fund is proud to support the Native Arts in Northwest Indian Country. Here is how you can help.

2011 Grants

Twenty two grantees in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana are receiving a total of $40,000 with funding from

• The Kalliopeia Foundation
• 2010 Gala Silent Auction Proceeds

Center Pole at Wellknown Buffalo
Garryowen, MT $2,160

Funding to create Wellknown Buffalo Cultural Art Center and Market to expose reservation youth and the general public to Crow traditional arts

Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts
Pendleton, OR $2,160

Funds for supplies used in three different traditional arts workshops.

David J Wilson
Olympia, WA $4,000

Funding to purchase the log used in the carving of a welcome figure.

Elizabeth Swanaset
Auburn, WA $2,160

Funding for the production of a traditional foods cookbook.

Eugene "Gordon" Henry
Harlem, MT $250

Funding for an art display case.

Helena Indian Alliance
Helena, MT $1,700

Funding for the supplies used in a regalia and dance workshop.

James Old Coyote
Suquamish, WA $1,550

Funding for recording and creating CDs of coastal drumming. .

John T Williams Memorial Totem Pole Project
Seattle, WA $5,000

Funding allocated to the construction of the foundation for the totem pole.

Leslie Louie
Worley, ID $1,700

Funding to aid in the production of twelve 15 minute mini digital stories.

Lillian Pitt
Portland, OR $2,160

Funding for the kiln used for a clay mask and tile making workshop in Celilo, OR.

Margaret Nation
Seattle, WA $250

Funding for the supplies involved in the creation of an art installation at the Chief Seattle Club.

Melissa Joy Streun
Kingston, WA $1,700

Funding for the production of 15 educational videos, documenting basic and intermediate cedar weaving skills.

Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association
Covington, WA $2,160

Funding for the 17th Annual Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association Gathering in Suquamish.

Pauline Hillaire
Bellingham, WA $250

Funding to aid in the production of digital storytelling.

Portland Inter-Tribal Canoe Club
Happy Valley, OR $250

Funding to aid in canoe gathering.

Quileute Tribal School
Forks, WA $1,500

Funding to purchase materials, tools, and workspace for Quileute Tribal school students, their families, and community members to facilitate learning about traditional Northwest Coast Native art styles and carving techniques.

Quinault Indian Nation
Tahola, WA $2,160

Funding for a project designed for the members of the Julas and Canoe Clubs to teach the next generation of youth and children to create the various types of capes and jewelry traditionally worn by the tribe.

Shirley Criqui
Wapato, WA $250

Funding for the oral dictation software for a Yakama elder to write her memoir.

Theresa Parker
Neah Bay, WA $2,160

Funding for the supplies for a basketry workshop.

Tina D Ray
Spokane, WA $2,160

Funding for the supplies used in hand drum, basketweaving, and jewelry workshops for Native children in Spokane.

Tor Parker
Port Angeles, WA $2,160

Funding for the creation of a creative writing anthology.

William Murphy
Newport, OR $2,160

Funding to aid in the purchase of a glass grinder for a glass artist.