SOLSTICE, FOR EVERYONE,
DANCE, WATER, TREES, STRENGTH, SING
NEW GROWTH
SKY, EARTH, OFFERING, PATIENCE
GREEN, FOUR, AWARENESS, RESISTANCE

These sixteen resonant word concepts were written by Native American artist Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds, stemming from his participation in the Cheyenne Earth Renewal ceremonies held annually in Oklahoma during the summer solstice.

Heap of Birds traveled to the Tandanya Aboriginal Center, Australia and the Boomalli Aboriginal Artist's Co-operative, Sydney, Australia following solstice ceremonies, 1994. There he introduced the 16 words, or "songs," to contemporary Aboriginal artists he came to know, and with whom he exchanged ideas, strategies and beliefs about art and culture. These artists were invited to make artwork, to "sing their own songs," related to themes of personal assessment and indigenous renewal, for exhibition in America.

Some of the cultural issues explored among the artists were those of tribal sovereignty, race relations, the American/British custom of amassing wealth and the influence of the business establishment on both dominant and native cultures. The state of vitality of indigenous concepts of sharing and nature-sustaining practices was addressed.

Of particular interest to heap of Birds were matters of the hybrid culture, the length of time with which the native/aboriginal tribal identity has co-existed and/or fused with the white culture, and the sensitivity surrounding perceptions of ethnic purity in white and native cultures.

Diana R. Block, Director
The Universtiy of North Texas Art Gallery