The Native North American Traveling College is taking on an impressive and enlightening project with our local artists and craftspeople. This “Cultural Portrait” started about four weeks ago and its main focus and intent is to give a clear portrait of the number of artists and craftspeople practicing in Akwesasne. This project is being funded by the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. Executive Director of NNATC said the main goal of this project is to find the answers to several questions including: “Where do we stand as Akwesasronon who practice arts? Are there more artists? Is the number of artist the same? Who are the main practitioners of the arts? What kind of support can we provide so the artists in Akwesasne can flourish?”

In just four weeks, with the help of Vaughn Sunday of Wolfpaw Consulting, they have found an increasing number of basket makers and beadwork artists. He contributes this growth to the basket making and beadwork classes being offered at the Akwesasne Cultural Museum on Route 37, the NNATC center on Kawehnoke and the increasing attendance at the Annual Akwesasne Powwow. They found a growing number of young people who take one class and return to take additional classes to improve their skills as a basket maker or beadwork artist. In comparison to 20 years ago, the number of artists has increased over the years. In discussion, one recommendation was having a central location for the making, producing, exhibiting and sales of the artist’s work. A Co-op would greatly assist artisans in getting their artwork to the market and being paid for their arts and crafts. Vaughn Sunday said, “Getting their artwork to the market is the biggest challenge to the artist.”

The Cultural Portrait will produce a catalog of all artists in Akwesasne making it easier to contact and promote the work of each artist profiled. Besides a hard copy, an online version will be available. Besides basket makers and beadwork artists, all Akwesasne artists will be profiled in the Cultural Portrait.