The creativity of many contemporary Nimíipuu artists is fundamentally an expression of what their ancestors have sought and accomplished - fusions of traditional styles, patterns and values with new media and forms. Nimíipuu artists have always taken advantage of new media, such as trade cloth and beads, to convey their family's particular designs and values, such as floral and geometric patterns. Artistic expressions is dynamic and fluid, anchored in strands of family traditions yet welcoming new ways to express those values.
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Ethel Greene tells of her Haida teacher's influences (Northwest Coast) on her and the revival of cedar bark basketry among the Nimíipuu. (Interviewed by Ann McCormack, March 2002) |
On this page you can glimpse some of the dynamic creativity of Nimíipuu. Angel Sobotta, a playwright, explains how she integrates the oral traditions and language of the Nimíipuu into staged dramatic performances using masks and costumes. Ethel Greene discuss how she was greatly influenced by such famous cedar bark basket weavers from other tribes, such as Deloris Churchhill, a Haida Indian, and Anna Jefferson. Through the media of poetry, Yvonne LeCornn has been inspired by a synthesis of contemporary rap music and her Nimíipuu traditional values to express her feelings, to help comfort a grieving family member upon the death of a relative , or simply to offering something meaningful.
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Angel Sobotta, playwright, discusses how the oral traditions and language are being used in plays to instruct the youth of the tribe. (Interviewed by Ann McCormack, February 2002) |
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Yvonne LeCornn reads one of her poems, "Native American Goddess and Alaskan Native Queen." (Interviewed by Ann McCormack, March 2002) |
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Yvonne LeCornn talks about her inspiration to write poetry. (Interviewed by Ann McCormack March 2002) |
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Yvonne LeCornn reads her poem, "Two Feathers in the Wind," in memory of her sister and her sister's half brother. (Interviewed by Ann McCormack, March 2002) |
Abraham "Gabe" Yearout anchors his paintings in traditional Nimíipuu values and themes thus able to better express for him the importance of basketball, horses, and serving his country. Also using brush and paints, Nakia Williamson continues the imagery and style of his family's beadwork patterns into the lines, shapes, and colors of his paintings.
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Abraham "Abe" Yearout, senior art student at the University of Idaho, dicusses the importance of the horse, basketball and the American Flag in his paintings. (Interviewed by Ann McCormack, March 2002) |
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Nakia Williamson discusses the floral design in his beading and painting. (Interviewed by Ann McCormack February 2002) |
© Nez Perce Tribe 2002
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