Native American Heritage and Folklore: Rainbow Crow and The Art of John Nieto

As we near the end of November, we must not forget that November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month in the United States. It is a time to celebrate and honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of Native American peoples. Throughout this month, various events and activities take place to promote awareness and appreciation for Native American art, music, dance, literature, and other aspects of Native American cultural heritage. Communities, schools, and organizations often organize events such as powwows, art exhibitions, film screenings, and educational programs to highlight the traditions and accomplishments of Native Americans. This observance is an opportunity to foster understanding, respect, and dialogue between Native American communities and the broader population.

How Native Americans View the Thanksgiving Holiday

Views on Thanksgiving among Native Americans vary widely, as different tribes and individuals may have distinct perspectives based on their histories, cultural backgrounds, and experiences. It's important to recognize that the traditional narrative surrounding the first Thanksgiving often oversimplifies and romanticizes the complex relationships between Native Americans and European settlers. Rarely is it taught in our schools what followed the first landing in North America. Here are some perspectives Native American communities may hold regarding the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Cultural Appropriation Concerns

Some Native Americans express concerns about the appropriation of their cultural symbols and traditions during Thanksgiving celebrations. This includes the use of stereotypical imagery or the misrepresentation of Native cultures.

Historical Trauma

For many Native Americans, the Thanksgiving holiday can be a reminder of historical traumas, including the colonization of their lands, loss of lives, forced relocations, and cultural suppression. Some may find it difficult to participate in celebrations that do not acknowledge this history.

Day of Mourning

In response to the traditional narrative of Thanksgiving, Native American communities observe the National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day. This event, held in Plymouth, Massachusetts, serves as a remembrance of the suffering and injustices experienced by Native peoples throughout history.

Educational Opportunities

Some Native Americans use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to teach others about the true history of the relationship between Native peoples and European settlers. This includes discussions about the impact of colonization on Indigenous Communities.

THIS MONTH'S FEATURED ART LESSON: JOHN NIETO INSPIRED RAINBOW CROWS

You will need the following materials:

Sakura Oil Cray-Pas Junior Artist Pastels

Canson XL Series Mixed Media Paper

Pencils and erasers

Self-Made Cardboard Crow Tracers

Image of Native American Symbol for Crow

STEP ONE 

You will introduce your students to the Native American art of storytelling. It is common in indigenous storytelling to teach children about cultural values, lessons and to link people or animals to land, making connections between a hero’s journey to natural and supernatural worlds.

Rainbow Crow by Nancy Van Laan is the book we will highlight for this lesson. The author of the story adapted this tale from a descendant of the Lenape People of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. If you do not have a copy of the book, the story can also be accessed by viewing the YouTube video below created by HITRECORD on TV written by Rabid Schnauzer, edwardheninth.

STEP TWO

John Nieto (1936-2018) is a contemporary artist of Spanish and Native American (Mescalero Apache and Navajo) descent. He was known as a brilliant colorist and for his use of bold lines. Nieto's signature style included bold ribbons of electric colors around the subjects of his paintings as seen in Nieto's paintings of the coyotes below.

If you are not familiar with John Nieto, you can learn more about this artist by visiting https://www.nietofineart.com/nieto-fine-art-homepage .

STEP THREE 

Remind students that Native Americans incorporate rich symbolism that is drawn from nature. The natural world holds deep significance in the cultures of many Native American tribes, and this is reflected in their artistic expressions and stories.

Different birds have different meanings in Native American culture and feathers are commonly used in Native American art and regalia. They can symbolize honor, strength, and spirituality.

What was the connection between the crow and nature in Rainbow Crow? What character trait did the crow display? What happened to his feathers? How was the crow rewarded for his good deed?

STEP FOUR 

Demonstrate how to draw a crow step by step for your students. Some children up to 7 or 8 years old might still struggle with holding a pencil or free-hand drawing lines and shapes into their works of art. Use the hand-crafted cardboard crow tracers prepared prior to teaching this lesson to assist children who have limited fine motor skills.

STEP FIVE

Finally, you will demonstrate how to use and blend oil pastels. It is important to model for students proper use and care of art materials. We strongly recommend using a top tier brand of pastels for children's art such as Sakura's Cray-Pas Junior Oil Pastels. Students will want colors to be vibrant as seen in Nieto’s Female Coyote below. Have students distinguish between warm and cool colors. Nieto used either a blend of cool or warm colors in the background of his paintings. Encourage the use and mixing of colors (both primary and secondarycolors side by side) to create a rainbow of colors around the crows. Monitor the use of white and black pastels as they tend to dull colors.

Promoting awareness of Native American history, culture, and contemporary issues can contribute to a more accurate and respectful understanding of the complexities surrounding this holiday. If you're interested in participating or learning more about Native American Heritage Month, you can check with local cultural organizations, museums, or educational institutions for events in your area. Additionally, there are many online resources and initiatives that provide information on Native American history, art, and culture.

The School of Saint-Leger has been in the business of public education for over twenty years. We are a reliable and credible source for art educators, parents and children. We advocate for art education in schools, and host studio art classes and community art events for children and families.