We don’t need him to tell us we are wrong to not be weeping and wailing constantly about the past wrongs done us. We take that plenty seriously enough but we are not going to dwell on it when there is life to be lived in the present. We respect the fact that our ancestors’ gave their lives to insure we have ours now and our reservations are treasured gifts to us from them. As Indian people we celebrate life. We treasure family. He needs a good dose of powwow and to sit and talk with Indian Elders before he passes judgment in such a superior manner.

We interpret our own art as WE see it. Anything and everything is beaded on the “rez” and whether it is a baseball cap or a buckskin dress – it is authentic, artistic and beautiful. If someone has an original idea and expresses it in whatever medium – it is Indian art. I have an Aunt who will bead any of my ideas – women’s chokers, cell phone holders, convention badge holders. This is where it is going Mr. Johnson. Answer the question for me, “What year was the traditional benchmark year? Life goes on, we all change (look at your Santa Claus!). What year it was made does not determine it’s validity.

How insulting to Indian people who participated, in any way in this show, to label their work kitsch. According to people like him only the dead had a right to interpret art from an Indian standpoint.

I think you missed the point of this exhibit.