User:Samin Champion/Aurolyn Renee Stwyer

Aurolyn Renee Stwyer-Watlamet (born September 18th, 1957) is a Native American artist and scholar and is a member of the Confederated tribes of Warm Spring s. Her Indian name is Na-Kish-Sha-Yut.

Stwyer is known for her traditional Plateau-style artwork such as animal textiles, visual arts, jewelry, beadwork and dance as well as her advocacy for teaching and education as well as her entrepreneurship.

Biography and education
Stwyer was born September 18th, 1957 into the Stwyer and brown families and was raised in Celilo Village. She is of Wasco Native American descent and belongs to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Growing up Stwyer was taught at an early age the traditions and culture of her Wasco ancestors. As a child she was taught the importance of community and tradition and was advised by her family the importance of upbringing her community through education. This, among other things, influenced her to promote Native American arts and economic development. Stwyer served as Vice Chairman for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Tribal Council from 2007-2010 which is the tribes form of representative government.

Stwyer has a Masters of Business administration in strategic management from the University of Minnesota, a Bachelors in Accounting from Marylhurst University, as well as a Masters of Arts in Human and Organization Systems from Fielding Graduate University.

Artworks
Stwyer is known for her Plateau art often including painting, beadwork and the use of animal derived textiles into her pieces.

The Proposal
The Proposal is the recounting of a traditional Warm Springs/Wasco wedding trade ceremony by Stwyer. The art piece is currently at exhibit at the Red Sky trading post and pawn. The piece is painted and beaded on the leather side of stretched, tanned Elk hide which was gifted to her from her grandparents. The piece features the groom to the left bringing presents on a travois followed by his brother who is wearing a buffalo headdress. To the right is the bride, accompanied by her father the chief and her two brothers, one approaching from a distance carrying gifts. The piece features nine horses to symbolize the change that is accompanied in a rite of passage, as nine to the Wasco symbolizes change. Arched along the top of the hide are four sacred salmon

Solo

 * (2018) Art Adventure Gallery: “Treaty of 1855: Our Connection to the River,” Madras, Oregon

Group

 * (2012) The Museum at Warm Springs

Collections
Stwyer work can be seen at


 * Red Sky trading post and pawn

Awards
Aurolyn Stwyers work and contributions have earned her the following awards:


 * 2018 Mentor Artist Fellowship
 * Miss Warm Springs 1977