projectile poLnt can be admired solely because of its fine 

 workmanship, but how much more meaningful to us if we 

 can see it as the means of supplying a people with meat to 

 keep them from starvation. A clay pot may appear imin- 

 teresting until we realize that it has held life-giving water 

 for the desert people who made it. We can then more 

 deeply appreciate the meaning of the beautiful designs ap- 

 plied to the pot: billowing rain clouds, falling rain, rain- 

 bows, and tender young corn plants. The delightful juxta- 

 position of the utilitarian and the artistic can be a constant 

 source of pleasure to discover. Watching a craftsman at 

 work gathering his materials and working with them, one 

 gains an increased respect for the extensive knowledge re- 

 quired for the production of these articles. 



Change is an important theme in the festival. The way 

 of life of any people is a dynamic ever-changing process. 

 This was true of Indian cultures long before the Europeans 

 came. Designs on early Indian pottery show much ex- 

 change of ideas between different groups of people. New 

 techniques were also adopted — one very dramatic example 

 being the art of weaving which was learned by the Navajos 

 from the Pueblos. With the coming of the Europeans, 

 changes came rapidly. New materials were adopted : glass 

 beads were added to the traditional porcupine quill decora- 

 tion of the Plains and Woodland Indians, silver was com- 

 bined with the native turquoise to make Navajo jewelry, 

 and wool from sheep brought by the Spaniards replaced the 

 traditional cotton used in Navajo weaving. Shapes and 

 uses of objects also changed. Rugs began to be made com- 

 mercially by the Navajo as trade goods— design and color 

 were often suggested by the trader. Metal containers were 

 used by the Pueblo Indians for water storage and began to 

 replace clay pots. Pottery began to be made more and more 

 for tourists with new shapes and designs added to please the 

 tourist's taste (which was often lamentable). Understand- 



ably, the meanings and function of many articles changed. 

 Kachina dolls are regarded by some as toys rather than as 

 representations of Hopi dieties. Iroquois false-face masks 

 are used in interior decorating in addition to traditional 

 curing ceremonies. 



Today it is not surprising to see an Indian dancer wear- 

 ing moccasins with Woodland Indian beadwork, a Plains 

 Indian costume, and a Navajo Squash Blossom necklace. 

 The arts and crafts of many diverse culture areas in the 

 United States are being brought together. There appears 

 to be a search among many American Indians, as there is 

 among other groups within the American population, for a 

 common identity and the means to achieve this. Indian art, 

 dance, and song have taken on new meaning in this search. 

 It is important to stress, however, that this artistic heritage 

 is only one aspect of the modern Indian self-image. As one 

 young Indian expressed it: 



The culture I am talking about is not something 

 like a war bonnet and a pow wow dance put on for 

 tourists. It's something that the Indian has in the way 

 the Indian lives. Not as he lived in the past, but as he 

 lives now. That exists in his being an Indian. (Stan 

 Steiner, The New Indians, 1 56) 

 Chicago is fortunate that so many cultures and tradi- 

 ditions are represented in her diverse population. It seems 

 appropriate that the Museum which contains so much about 

 people should be the major focal point for their meeting. It 

 is our hope that the American Indian Festival will show the 

 continuity through time of American Indian social life and 

 culture and form a bridge between the past — represented 

 by the articles on exhibit — to the present and future — rep- 

 resented by the people you will meet in the Museum. 



The Illinois Arts Council, a stale agency; the Ernest G. Shinner 

 Foundation; and the Wieboldt Foundation provided financial assist- 

 ance Jor the American Indian Festival. 



Pow-wows are held periodically at the American Indian Center, providing Indians from many tribes 

 living in Chicago with a focal point for social activity. Photo by Orlando Cabanban. 



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