Sophia Eagle's Blog

 For at least two generations, an aging population has meant the extreme loss of Native culture. This goes back to the beginning of reservation days, when things like regalia-making, powwow-dancing and spiritual practices were outlawed by the United States Government, in order to eliminate the Native American Tribal identity from existence. My great-grandmother would tell us stories of these events: according to her, when she was a child, only those sixty and older were allowed to take part in powwow dancing and singing. New drums and drumsticks were not allowed to be made. New dancing clothes and regalia were not allowed to be made, and younger people were not allowed to even stand at powwows. In this way, much of our traditions were lost because they were forced to be taught in secrecy. Moving forward, younger people lost these cultural connections, and the amount of people who participated in things like beading and regalia-making sharply decreased.  Earrings made by me In the prese

  Aho, mitakuyepi! Welcome to Oldtown Albuquerque, New Mexico!      This is the location of where my store, Eagle Woman Beadwork, will open soon! Eagle Woman Beadwork will be a place where indigenous artwork can be sold to tourists and locals alike, with a major focus on beaded jewelry and accessories. My store will be a place for you to purchase Native-made, traditional artwork, including pieces like jackets and clothing.  Example of Lakota or Ojibwa Artwork     The mission of my store is to get as many traditional, indigenous artists to be able to sell their work and creations to a wider audience, no matter who it is. Of course, a major focus of Eagle Woman Beadwork is appealing to those of Native culture and ethnicity, so with presentation of valid tribal identification, Native individuals will be able to purchase items at a discount.      As well as selling artwork to those who would be interested in purchase, I will also sell items like bulk porcupine quills, hide and buckskin, si

Red Skirt Day Jingle Dress Regalia  Everyone I know has a story about MMIW. Everyone has a story of the loss, of aunties and sisters going to the store and never coming home, of bodies being discovered with knife marks and being ruled suicides... Native American women are ten times more likely to be murdered than any other ethnicity. The Federal government does not investigate these problems. These are old stories. They are ingrained into us as Native girls, we are told to travel in groups, never tell a white man you're Native if he asks. As time has gone on, marches and protests have sprouted up to raise awareness to this problem, and groups have formed in order to advocate for institutional change.   A lot of art and regalia is created in the color red in order to bring awareness and pay respect to the memories of our stolen sisters. The color red is the color of the South on the sacred Medicine Wheel, and it is said that wearing red catches the attention of those who have becom