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Walker Youngbird Foundation Launches Núhi Grant

In a significant move to uplift Indigenous artistry, the Walker Youngbird Foundation has introduced the Núhi Grant, a new initiative aimed at supporting Native artists engaged in community-based projects. The term 'Núhi' is derived from the Hidatsa language, meaning 'to uplift', perfectly encapsulating the foundation's commitment to fostering creativity that is deeply rooted in Indigenous tradition and local experiences.

Supporting Community-Centric Art

The Núhi Grant not only recognizes the rich cultural heritage of Native communities, but also promotes projects that are inspired by tribal culture and intended for the communities themselves. The inaugural recipient of this grant is Hayden Haynes, who hails from the Seneca Nation and is known for his exceptional skills in antler carving and cultural storytelling. Haynes's work resonates on multiple levels, both artistically and culturally, making him an ideal candidate for this accolade.

With the support garnered from the Núhi Grant, Haynes aims to pay tribute to the eight living Seneca Name Givers—women tasked with the critical responsibility of preserving and passing down traditional names within their clans. This role is vital for maintaining matrilineal identity and ensuring cultural continuity within the Seneca community.

Honoring the Past to Shape the Future

For his project, Haynes will engage in the traditional practice of antler carving to create a series of eight medallion necklaces. Each piece will represent one of the Seneca clans—Deer, Snipe, Heron, Hawk, Turtle, Beaver, Wolf, and Bear—and will be presented to the respective Name Givers. The medallions will not only serve as artistic pieces but will also embody the cultural significance of each clan.

To complement his artistic endeavors, Haynes will capture the spirit of these women through photographic portraits. By doing so, he seeks to document their presence and contributions, ensuring that their roles are not only recognized but celebrated. As he eloquently stated, "Oftentimes these important women in our community carry out their duties behind the scenes—and sometimes who they were, what they looked like, and any honor due to them is lost to time and forgotten."

Haynes’s initiative is about creating a lasting tradition of documenting these Name Givers, thereby cementing their cultural legacy for future generations. This commitment to preserving history underscores the importance of community storytelling and cultural memory.

A Broader Vision for Indigenous Art

Reid Walker, the founder of the Walker Youngbird Foundation, articulated the foundation’s philosophy by stating, "The Núhi Grant was built on a simple belief that the most vital Native art often stays close to home." This sentiment aligns with the mission of the foundation to empower Indigenous artists by supporting projects that resonate within their local contexts.

The Núhi Grant is part of a larger strategy by the Walker Youngbird Foundation to enhance support for Indigenous artists through various means, including institutional exhibitions and community-rooted initiatives. By investing in projects such as Haynes’s, the foundation aims to highlight the myriad ways in which Native art continues to shape contemporary Indigenous life and foster cultural continuity.

To find out more about the Núhi Grant and the Walker Youngbird Foundation's initiatives, visit www.walkeryoungbird.org. With this grant and the dedication of artists like Hayden Haynes, the vibrant tapestry of Indigenous culture is sure to thrive for generations to come.