Arizona 2008 Official State Visitor's Guide - (Page 31) Visitor Etiquette PreSerVing Pee-PoSh culTure – one STiTch aT a TiMe Y olanda Hart Stevens and I compare notes on our growing families while she works on an exquisite beaded collar on a bright morning at Phoenix’s Heard Museum. Stevens, Pee-Posh (Maricopa)/Quechan from the Gila River Indian Community, is a renowned beader and dressmaker who creates both traditional and commercial work. “The colors of the collars identify who we are, as Pee-Posh/Quechan (the People) of the Colorado River,” says Stevens. The delicate beadwork created by several Yuman-speaking tribes in the Southwest, including the Pee-Posh and Quechan, also traditionally denoted the wearer’s family. T oday, beadwork fulfills both personal adornment and ceremonial needs, says Stevens, whose father’s family helped her learn the ancient art. Stevens crafts beaded collars, necklaces, earrings and other items. She also makes the colorful striped dresses worn for both ceremonies and social occasions. The Pee-Posh live in two areas; Stevens’ people, the Kave Pipa or Western People, reside in the Gila River Indian Community, and their eastern relatives, the Xalychidom Pii-Paash or Upriver People live at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. They originally inhabited land along the Colorado River, but moved east after warring with the Mojave. The PeePosh were welcomed by the Akimel O’odham (Pima), or River People, to live alongside them in peace. Artists like Stevens are an integral part of cultural preservation in these two tribal communities. Stevens offers classes in beading and sewing in the community, and also heads up the Pee-Posh Project, which instructs children in art and culture. Her students include her three children and six grandchildren. Stevens demonstrates her work across the Southwest, and is a regular at the Heard Museum Guild’s Indian Fair & Market, the Gila River Artists’ Market in November and Mul-Cha-Tha, Gila River’s tribal fair in early spring. The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, just south of Chandler, melds the rich culture and history of the Gila River Indian Community. Intricate murals illustrate Pee-Posh and O’odham traditional life; a river linking the resort to the nearby casino harkens to the tribes’ agricultural past and future. Storytelling is offered each winter at the resort by local tribal members. And Stevens’ work, along with other Pee-Posh and O’odham artwork is offered for sale in the resort’s gift shop. “I feel very close to the beadwork I do because I was raised with the thought that ‘this is what identifies us as Yuman people’ in this world and the spirit world,” says Stevens, who helps preserve Pee-Posh culture – one stitch at a time. l Arizona’s tribal communities welcome respectful visitors. While each tribal community has specific regulations, the following guidelines will help you enjoy your stay while honoring the people, lands and culture. • Respect the privacy of people’s homes. • Do not enter any sacred area or building without permission. • ake photos only when regulations permit; ask before taking T photographs of people. Never reproduce or use photos commercially without written permission. • Many communities prohibit sketching, audio and video recording. • s with any religious observance, visitors should dress and act A accordingly during ceremonies; ladies, avoid tank tops or other revealing clothing. • on’t ask questions or for an interpretation of the ceremony D during dances, or applaud afterwards. • o not disturb or remove any artifacts on any reservation. You may D be subject to federal and tribal prosecution. • Stay within designated trails and roads. • any tribes restrict or prohibit alcohol possession and/or M consumption, and all tribes prohibit drugs. Hopi Ceremonial Attire ©AOT w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 31 http://www.arizonaguide.com
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