Chae Patterson
cpatterson3@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
Hosteen Klah
This piece Sandpainting Tapestry by Hosteen Klah of the Navajo shows their unique style of weaving (traditionally a female role) based on and using the patterns of sandpainting, which was derrived from the male role of healer/medicine man as a nadheeli(Trans/Genderfluid). This particular scene shows several people begining to draw out the patterns for sandpainting while also portraying that life is not always a clear straight line with the wavvy line that deviates from the vertical line and joins two people who are both drawing their own path together.
A second piece of art creatively titled Hosteen Klah Sandpainting Drawing, this time it is a recreation of Klah's work (with their knowing consent) by Franc Johnson Newcomb. Newcomb was specially gifted to have a photographic memory that was used to record this ceremony which scholars have since determined might have been from the Lightning way ceremony. This piece speaks to both native communities and LGBTQ:even on our best days we must establish a strong support network especially when there the government refuses to acknowlege your existance. Making it a multicultural experience makes it much harder for it to be ignored and forgotten.