Above, left to right: Prize recipients Dr. N. Scott Momaday and Kevin Costner with Jackie Autry at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage's Annual Gala, Rendezvous 2003.

On the evening of Oct. 3, almost a thousand prominent guests gathered in Los Angeles to mark the dedication of the Autry National Center, the institution created in May 2003 by the merger of two prominent and powerful city museums: the Southwest Museum of the American Indian and the Autry Museum of Western Heritage (see Sept./Oct. 2003 issue).

While each museum will remain in operation and retain its distinctive focus, the merger and the creation of the Autry National Center promises to produce an unrivaled set of facilities, staff and resources for exploring the diverse peoples and rich history of the American West, in line with its mission "to draw connections between the past and present and to inform the development of our shared future."

Symbolic of this merger was the honoring that night of two Western icons, one representing the West of the American Indian-Kiowa author and artist N. Scott Momaday-and the other the West of cowboy lore-actor Kevin Costner. Momaday was presented with the Autry National Center Humanities Prize, Costner the Autry National Center Western Heritage Award. The event heralds the first of many notable events, programs and outreach efforts of this major new player on the world's cultural scene.

"This year's Gala was the most successful ever," notes John Gray, Autry Museum CEO. "Scott Momaday honored us with his acceptance of his prize and spoke of the need and promise of the combination of the two museums. We plan to live up to his expectations."

As most fans of Native music know, since 2000 the field has been honored with presentation of an annual Grammy award. In 2000, the first-ever Native Grammy was awarded to a compilation album, Gathering of Nations Pow Wow(SOAR), recorded in Albuquerque. In 2001, the award went to Bless the People: Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike (Canyon Records). In 2002, it was awarded to Mary Youngblood for her wonderful work Beneath the Raven Moon (Silver Wave). The 2003 award will be presented on Feb. 8 in Los Angeles, but it could be the final such award.

At a brunch in August 2003 in Santa Fe attended by less that 50 people organized for the Native music industry during the annual Indian Market when the town was full of Native musicians, Angelia Bibbs-Sanders, vice president of Member Services of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammys' parent organization), explained that without increased numbers of Native members in the academy and participation by Native musicians, producers and record labels, the academy could drop the Native music award.

Natives are but a small piece of the American music scene, but, it was hoped when the category was launched, it was a rapidly growing segment. Actually, enrollment by Native parties in the academy has declined since 2000, as well as entries into the Native music award category.

One cannot fault the academy. The Santa Fe brunch was the fourth annual event of its kind held in the "City Different" and the academy has sought Native leadership on its governing boards and otherwise reached out to the Native music community. While it is hoped by Native musicians that the number of awards for Native music might be expanded in the future, for now at least that appears highly unlikely.

On Jan. 24, the Gila River Indian Community just south of Phoenix will host the public opening of the nation's finest tribal facility for the preservation and display of important cultural artifacts and art.

The Huhugam Heritage Center, designated after the traditional name of their people, will serve many functions: a climate-controlled repository for prehistoric and historic artifacts, cultural materials and vital records; a museum to display these materials to the public; a center for research by tribal members and scholars; a gallery for display of contemporary tribally produced art; space to exhibit traveling art and history shows; and a gathering place for both tribal members and the outside world.

Within the embracing arms of its inspired and sheltering design (created by StastnyBrun Architects Inc. with extensive tribal member input)-wrapped in a landscaped earthen berm rising gracefully like a 30-foot wave over the desert terrain-is found a thoroughly modern architectural wonder encompassing some 40,000 square feet of storage areas, administrative offices, library and display rooms. While the structures are complete, and the grounds within the berm landscaped as an ethnobotanic garden, interior work is ongoing and the center's exhibition spaces will open in phases over several years. From the colors of the cast concrete, its observation tower and the lovely murals created by tribal artists Amil and Mike Chiago, to the water feature that greets you as you enter from the searing desert and the soaring Great Room Gallery, it's obvious that much care and thought went into the $10 million (expended to date) facility.

"The tribe did not want just a box to hold its precious goods," explains John Ravesloot, coordinator of the tribe's cultural resource management program. "This is a monument to the community-its past, present and future." The facility will initially be open by appointment only. Details: http://www.nativepeoples.com/www.griccrmp.com/huhugam

In late October of 2003, a startled nation watched as a huge swath of Southern California was scorched in a series of wildfires that swept through the tinder-dry foothills. What is not largely known is that a significant portion of the conflagration was concentrated on Native lands.

In fact, a report by the Amerind Risk Management Corp. states that some 30,000 acres of land burned on various Indian reservations, including more than 15,000 acres on the Capitan Grande Reservation, 6,000 acres on the Barona Reservation, 4,200 acres at Rincon, and 2,000 acres at La Jolla. The entire San Pasqual Reservation was consumed, all but 2 percent of the vegetation of the San Manuel Reservation was burned, and half of the Viejas Reservation was destroyed. Some 67 homes were lost on the San Pasqual Reservation, 40 at Barona, 20 at Rincon, three at Inaja and two at San Manuel. In all, some 1,700 Native families were displaced by the fires, and at least four Native residents perished.

As reported by Native journalist Charlie LeDuff of the New York Times, "The indigenous people who live in the foothills of San Diego County hold to an old philosophy: Fire takes what it wants, floods take what is left and nothing lives long except the mountains."

Several relief funds have been set up to help the victims. The San Manuel and the Morongo bands of Mission Indians have each donated $1 million to these funds and other organizations like the Red Cross. The public may send donations to: Tribal Disaster Relief Fund, Borrego Springs Bank, 7777 Alvarado Road, Suite 114, La Mesa, CA 91941.

Golfer Notah Begay (Navajo/ San Felipe Pueblo) has been asked to serve as the spokesman in Indian Country for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, matching a young man of outstanding character with an institution doing noteworthy work on behalf of Native youth nationwide. The organization opened its first reservation-based facility in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, more than a decade ago and now has 145 clubs serving more than 60,000 Native youth annually. Begay, 30, joined the PGA Tour in 1999 and has won four tournament victories. Details: http://www.naclubs.org/ or http://www.notahbegay3.com/

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Prior Lake, Minnesota, has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe for construction of a 12,000-square-foot "trading post" with gas station, gift shop, convenience store, post office, restaurant and other facilities. The SMSC has become a leader in promoting tribal sovereignty through economic development and assisting other tribes in need, having granted more than $31.5 million over the past six years to Indian tribes and nonprofit entities in the region.

Summit Builders Charity, an employee-run philanthropic arm of Summit Builders Construction Co. of Phoenix, has completed work on Miguel Bautista Field in Sacaton, Arizona, on the Gila River Indian Community. The project is the company's ninth baseball park built in association with the Arizona Diamondbacks Charities, and its first on Native lands. It is named after Diamondbacks pitcher Miguel Bautista (of Carib Indian descent), who has been very active in promoting Native youth sports and academic achievement.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians recently completed an extensive consultation and design process with the city of San Bernardino, California, regarding the tribe's planned casino expansion. The successfully negotiated plan, modified in some respects to address issues brought forth from the community, could stand as a model in cooperative planning. Tribal Chairman Deron Marquez also recently presented a $3 million grant on behalf of the tribe to California State University, San Bernardino.

In September, Canada's Supreme Court determined that the nation's Metis people (descendants of French settlers and Natives) are entitled to the same broad hunting and fishing rights as full-status Natives. The 9-0 ruling was hailed as a major victory for the 300,000 or so Metis, as it is expected that the recognition will extend to additional tax breaks and government services, and it clarifies the legal limbo the Metis have endured since the country's founding.

A remarkable book will mark its 40th anniversary in 2004: The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America (Smithsonian Press). The most comprehensive book ever produced on the subject is credited with helping to keep this fragile craft alive in the 21st century. It was written by Edwin Tappan Adney, though he died before it was finished; Howard Chapelle carried it forward to completion. It can be purchased online for about $23.

The 6th annual Native American Music Awards were held at Isleta Casino just south of Albuquerque on Nov. 15. Among the many winners were the following: Robert Mirabal, Artist of the Year (for Indians Indians); Pamyua, Record of the Year (for Caught in the Act); Felipe Rose, Single of the Year (for "We're Still Here"); Joseph Fire Crow, Songwriter of the Year (for Legend of Warrior); Keith Secola, Producer of the Year (for Socie); Litefoot, Male Artist of the Year (for The Messenger); Jana, Female Artist of the Year (for Found a Love); Burning Sky, Duo (for Spirits in the Wind); Derek Miller, Blues/Jazz Recording (for Music is the Medicine); Pima Express, Folk/Country Recording (for Voice Upon the Wind); the Cherokee National Youth Choir, Gospel Recording (for Building One Fire); Joanne Shenandoah, Compilation (for Peace and Power); Michael Jacobs, Independent Recording (for Sacred Nation); Nicole, Instrumental Recording (for Night Tree); R. Carlos Nakai, New Age Recording (for Fourth World); Jim Boyd, Pop/Rock Recording (for Jim Boyd Live); Black Eagle, Powwow Recording (for Flying Free); Red Earth, World Music Recording (for Zia Soul); and Tribal Live, Rap/ Hip-hop Recording (for True II Live).

Master jeweler Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi) has been selected as the official artist of the 2004 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. An image of his work will appear on posters, T-shirts and other commemorative materials.

The National Museum of the American Indian has announced its 2004 Native Arts Program recipients. Honored were Barbara Francis (Penobscot), a brown ash basketmaker from Old Towne, Maine; Luke Madrigal (Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians), a Birdsinger from Temecula, California; Heriberto Martinez Pioquinto (Mixe) of Oaxaca, Mexico, in the youth mural category; and John Angalgaq Kailukiak (Yupik), a sculptor and painter from Toksook Bay, Alaska, in the community art symposium category.

Inuit filmmaker Zacharius Kunuk (director of the stunning movie Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner) has received the prestigious Order of Canada from the Canadian government.

Six senior citizens were designated Arizona Indian Living Treasures at a ceremony in October at the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix. Selected were Victor Paul Beck (Navajo), silversmith and goldsmith; Elda Butler (Mojave), cultural preservationist; Michael Kabotie (Hopi), painter and jeweler; Grace Lehi (San Juan S. Paiute), basketmaker; Eva Tuleen Watt (White Mountain Apache), storyteller and artist; and Louis A. Wauneka (Navajo), artist and educator.

Rez Bluez Productions, directed by Elaine Bomberry of the Six Nations Reserve of Canada, has been selected as a partner in the Year of the Blues, a congressionally mandated project for 2004 that will include concerts, workshops and other events exploring the development of this art form in the Americas, including its Native artists and roots. She also recently was presented the Music Industry Award at the 5th annual Canadian Native Music Awards in Toronto.

The Producers Guild of America recently hosted its second annual Celebration of Diversity in Beverly Hills. Among those individuals and institutions honored for their work in broadening the film industry's horizons was the Sundance Institute's Native American Initiatives program, currently directed by Bird Runningwater (Cheyenne/Mescalero Apache).

Henry Arquette (Mohawk), a black ash splint basketmaker and former high steel worker, has been selected by the nonprofit group Traditional Arts in Upstate New York as one of its three Heritage Award winners for 2003.

Artist Star Wallowing Bull (Ojibwe/ Arapaho) was the winner of a juror's choice award at a recent exhibition at the Plains Indian Museum in Fargo, North Dakota for one of his detailed, eye-popping, colorful, allegorical Prismacolor pencil illustrations. His work was also included in a fall exhibition at the Carl Gorman Museum at the University of California, Davis.

A metal sculpture by Ivan J. Doney (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), a former NASA metallurgist, has been selected for inclusion in a Lewis & Clark Bicentennial exhibition curated by the Museum of Montana.