Arizona Indian Living Treasures

ARIZONA INDIAN LIVING TREASURES AWARDS NOMINATIONS

 

PHOENIX, AZ - The Arizona Indian Living Treasures Awards (AILTA) committee is accepting nominations for the 2015 Living Treasures Awards.  The committee must receive nominations by Friday, September 18, 2015.  This year’s ceremony will be on Sunday, November 1, 2015, at 1 p.m. in the Steele Auditorium at the Heard Museum in Phoenix.  The recipients will be honored during the awards program and receive an embroidered Pendleton blanket and plaque.

 

Each year, the AILTA honors Arizona’s American Indian elders who demonstrate a lifetime of achievement in the area of arts, education, and cultural and language preservation.  Additionally, AILTA recognizes individuals who serve their community by sharing their arts and traditions, and passing them on to the next generation.  The Living Treasures Awards reinforces the mission of AILTA, which is to encourage the preservation of cultural traditions and artistic ideals, while providing education and awareness to the public about American Indian culture.

 

Howard Sice, founding board member stated, "To recognize the contributions of our Native elders, for their service and commitment to retain traditional art and culture for all Indian people, is an important calling."

 

Previous recipients of the Living Treasures Awards include: Carl Gorman – Painter, Emory Sekaquaptewa – Silversmith/educator, R. Carlos Nakai – Performer, Charles Loloma – Jeweler/Potter, and Marvin Ringlero – Saddle maker.

 

About the Arizona Indian Living Treasures Awards

Arizona Indian Living Treasures Awards, Inc. was formed in 1988 and recognized Hopi basked maker, Sarah Gashwytewa, as the first living treasure recipient.  To date AILTA has recognized over 100 Arizona American Indian living treasures.

 For more information about the nomination process, the public may contact Daryl Melvin, P.E., AILTA Vice President at info@ailta.org or at 928-380-1807. Nomination information is available at www.ailta.org