It has been such an honor to awarded a National Artist Fellowship this year from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF). The NACF invited all 20 fellows to a three-day convening in Portland, Oregon where we had the opportunity to get to know the artists, NACF supporters and staff. We were treated to presentations from previous and current fellows including performances in music such as an Inupiaq rap artist and Hawaiian slide guitarist, poetry reading, and an amazing screening by one the fellows who is a Hawaiian filmmaker. I really enjoyed getting to know everyone and thankful to be included with this talented group.

The convening culminated with a honoring ceremony at the Portland Museum and a moving Hawaiian cava ceremony. Many thanks to the NACF for supporting Hawaiian and Native American artists.

(photo credit- Sven Haakanson)