(As published in the Todd County Tribune, Dec. 2007)
Mission/Antelope Horizons Program kicked off their much anticipated Multi-Cultural Arts & Crafts Market in the Multi-Purpose Building at SGU’s Antelope Lake Campus on Saturday, December 8, 2007. Despite the storm warnings for that day, quite a few artisans, crafters, food vendors and art-lovers braved the elements to enjoy the community event, which lasted from 9am to 4pm.
Some of the artists’ works included bone carvings by Jim Bruce (Mission); framed watercolors and oils by Joseph Gangone and Floyd Nez (both of Mission); hand painted par-fleche and sterling jewelry by Mike and Lynette Marshall; sterling/turquoise offerings by Medford Salway (Chinle, AZ) and various hand painted items by Dave Delgarito (Winner) and Athel Dubray (Mission), who also brought beadwork.
Crafters were well represented with wood workings by Charlie Moe (Rosebud) and Dave Halmi (St. Francis); quilts by Virginia Barrera (White River), Marie War Bonnett (Rosebud), and J.J. Moe; candles by Penelope Seitler of Trinity Rose Candles (White River); native dresses by Darlene Myers (Rosebud) and Lisa White Hat (Mission); specialty placemats by Judy Arthur (Winner); jewelry by Jeane Vargas (Chamberlain); native beadwork by Simone Crow Good Voice (Parmelee); and ceramics by Dottie Hartman of Don’t Rush Me Ceramics (Valentine, NE). With their mentor Steve Tamayo, local youth Marcel Black Lance, Allan Stead, and Domingo Tamayo graced a table with their handcrafted native traditional items.
Cultural foods offered included Asian rice, teriyaki chicken, and yaki wraps by Noella Red Hawk, Western-style barbeque by Rodney and Jean Lanz, and Mexican menudo and tamales by J.R. and Jessie White Hat and Linda Vargas. Baked goods and delicacies were made available by Kay Kari (Rosebud), Toni Vargas Hutchinson (Mission), and Headstart Parents Association.
The report from the Kids Corner was just as exciting. Youngsters, ranging in age from about 4 to 14, enjoyed the make-and-take craft projects including constructing and decorating arm bands, tipis, and hand puppets. Adult volunteer Barb Bennett said, “We had a great time at the Kids Corner. Billie Artichoker and I enjoyed working with as many as 50 to 70 young people during the day. They were children of the workers and of the shoppers. Some came in and out all day and some just while their parents were shopping. They were all well behaved and seemed to enjoy the activities that we had for them.”
Cindy Young of RST Tribal Education Department donated coloring books for Kids Corner. Dr. Russell Stubbles of SDSU Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape & Parks, provided door prizes for the children, including basketballs, volleyballs and other assorted items. The Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud provided arts and crafts items for use in the Kids Corner, as well as stuffed toys for prizes.
Volunteer Chuck Bennett had this to say, “I was proud to serve as Kids Corner runner/go-fer and part-time prize winner announcer to support the fine craftwork being directed by the great volunteer lady coordinators/teachers. The opportunity to meet with a representative from a collaborating organization or two and support the fine work of some of the vendors was very welcome and enjoyable. The steering committee and all of the collaborating organizations are to be congratulated and commended for a job very well done.”
Leo Campbell, volunteer coordinator, was also quick to thank other community members who worked hard as well to make this first arts market event a success, including Terri Grablander, Harold Charging Hawk, Chantelle LaPointe, Russell Masartis, Bernadine Wilson, and Ray and Chris Stewart. Youth volunteers included Casandra Artichoker and Bailee Boyd of the 4-H Lucky Charms Club, and Holly Stewart of the 4-H Lakeview Prairiedogs.
Horizons is a poverty reduction program funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and sponsored by Sitting Bull College of Fort Yates, North Dakota, in partnership with Sinte Gleska University from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation. Several other community collaborations have been established in order to meet the goals and objectives of the project, which include Northern Plains Indian Art Market, Mission Chamber of Commerce, American Indian Relief Council, South Central Resource Conservation & Development Council, SGU Tribal Business Information Center, Sicangu Fund, Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud, Great Plains Art Institute and Rosebud Economic Development Corporation, to name a number of partnerships that have been created.
According to Campbell, the overall goal of the Mission/Antelope Horizons Program is to assist the community in recognizing what poverty looks like and what they can do about it, as well as to build leadership skills for community development. The purpose for the Arts & Crafts Market is to create, build, and strengthen marketing opportunities, allowing local artisans to gain exposure for their micro-enterprise and their products. SGU Media Department is developing a DVD to promote marketing of vendors’ products that were showcased at the Arts & Crafts Market. There is talk of holding a second such event early in 2008. Interested arts and crafts exhibitors are encouraged to call ahead so that planning can begin.
Campbell and other local volunteers are planning various other projects in the future, including beautification of certain Mission/Antelope areas and a youth mentorship/entrepreneurial training program. Planning meetings, held at SGU Hattie Marcus Building, are open to community members and organizations. Everyone, particularly youth, is encouraged to attend.
To learn more about the Horizons Program, visit their webpage at www.nwaf.org, go to “Programs” and click on “Horizons”. Additional information is available at http://mission.communityblogs.us/. Or contact Leo Campbell at 605-856-8127 or Chuck Bennett at 605-856-4271.
