Cherokee Nation And Indian Art

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TITLES OF SOME OF NAKOMA’S WORKS

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NATIVE TRIBES OF NORTH AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

PATHWAY TO WISDOM

HONOR THE ELDERS

THE CIRCLE IS MY PATH

TEN CHARGES of the buffalo days

MEDICINE WHEEL

AN INDIAN VERSION OF THE 23rd PSALM

FAMILY CIRCLES

GIFT OF THE EAGLE

ANCIENT REFUGE

GIFT OF THE BUFFALO

THE HEARTBEAT THRIVES

GIFT OF THE WOLF

GIFT OF THE BEAR

THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

AS RELATIVES CIRCLING

MOTHER EARTH SPIRITUALITY

SACRED PIPE

illustrated H. Ann need’s children’s book

RAVEN BRINGS TO THE PEOPLE ANOTHER GIFT

coming in 1999

CHERISHED VALUES – Nakoma’s Verse Readings

NAKOMA

Anishinabe Heritage

Nakoma is an artist, writer, lecturer, singer and traditional dancer. He grew up in Wisconsin and his family eventually moved to Chicago area where he graduated from high school and then earned a B.A. Degree from North Central College in 1962. Other than a track scholarship he worked his own way through college, including leadership of a group of Indian dancers on performance tours each summer through the western states.

Upon college graduation he entered the Peace Corps in one of the very first groups to serve overseas. Following training in Oklahoma and Puerto Rico he served 2½ years in Bolivia, first as the sociologist for a frontier colonization project in the Alto-Beni region and then, at the invitation of an Amazon tribe, as a teacher and community worker with them. During this period he developed a fluency in both the Spanish and tribal languages.

Upon returning home he attended the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration, to earn credits toward a Masters in community organization. At that time, 1965, the “War On Poverty” was just starting in Chicago and Nakoma was recruited to be a Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corps, a program providing job experience and training for disadvantaged youth. Following that he was hired by the City of Chicago’s Commission on Youth Welfare controlling street gang activity and channeling their energies into sports and organizing community resources to respond to the needs. For his work he received several awards, including one from the Chicago Police Department.

In the following years Nakoma continued in career jobs, including Housing Coordinator for Chicago’s Model Cities Program; as a trainer for Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA); again with Neighborhood Youth Corps as the Director in central Wisconsin; as the Job Developer and Counselor for the Spanish Speaking Special Services; and as a Vocational Rehabilitation Coun­selor for the State of Illinois.

From 1974—1977 Nakoma again served with the Peace Corps, first as a Program Director and then as Country Director in Venezuela, followed by Special Consultant problem solving work in Nicaragua. Upon return he became the Coordinator of “Cultural Kaleidoscope”, producing, directing and moderating TV and radio programs on cultural diversity. Nakoma also worked in security through the years, including 15 years as Security Director for a major hotel corporation, and coordinated Security and Law Enforcement courses for Chicago City-Wide Colleges.

All through these experiences Nakoma continued to draw, write, lecture and dance, finally going full time with his “Nakoma Art Traditions” in 1997. He and his wife, Kati, are on the event and lecture circuit every week in the year. Married in 1971 they have two grown children and three grandchildren.

Since a teenager Nakoma had been an active member of Chicago’s American Indian Center. During that time he became a proud member of the LaDeaux family, direct descendents of Chief Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota Sioux. They had also moved to Chicago from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, joining many other thousands of Native Americans moving to urban areas in those days. Together, he and the LaDeauxs were involved in A.I.C. activities and danced on the Pow-Wow trail. Nakoma performed with the A.I.C Dance Club and competed on the A.I.C. Canoe Club team, including races across Lake Michigan and around Manhattan Island, New York City. From 1966-1971 Nakoma served on the A.I.C. Board of Directors, was Secretary of the Board, Youth Committee Chairman and once served as the Center’s Program Director.

            Nakoma was one of the founders of the Native American Center of Southeast Minnesota in 1984. A retired Chairman of that Native American community, he also served many years as the leader of it’s intertribal Bear Creek Singers and Dancers and launched and edited the Center’s “DRUMBEAT” newsletter for over ten years. He has been the Head Dancer for a Mdewakanton Dakota Sioux Reservation Pow-Pow and been honored with eagle feathers and other Native American awards.

            Of mixed heritage, including Scottish, English and German, Nakoma’s strong Anishinabe-Lakota cultural traditions are reflected in his works and writings though the verses he composes, and the values expressed are general to the ancient teachings of all tribes. His verses are profound, his art combining realism and symbolism in great detail, and his purpose to provide attractive, carefully drawn art that is educational and inexpensive.

            With over 3,000 presentations since the 1950’s, Nakoma is an established and respected speaker, endeavoring to foster a truer understanding of the Native American and the ancient, good values of the traditional pathway. His knowledge of ancient wisdom, earth sciences, and astronomy offers an audience great insight into Mother Earth, Father Sky, and the meanings of the Great Circle of Life, symbolized by the Medicine Wheel. Although on a very busy schedule, Nakoma may be contacted if you are looking for a speaker.

            A very popular author, Mary Summer Rain, highly recommends Nakoma’s art in her book, DAYBREAK (page 107). Nakoma has a large network of dealers in his art nationwide, but would welcome others interested in representing his works. At his events booth you are welcome to browse and absorb the teachings before making a selection. Nakoma and Kati will be there to explain anything and answer questions. Welcome and safe journeys.

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