Yakima cultural organizations honor the region’s Native American heritage with an ongoing citywide celebration

“Yakima Honors Peoples of the Plateau,” a citywide celebration of the region’s Native American legacy, opens with receptions at multiple venues from 2 to 5 p.m. this Sunday (Jan. 11). All are free.

• At the Larson Gallery, YVCC campus, South 16th Avenue and West Nob Hill Boulevard.
“Through the Lens — Past and Present,” features the traveling exhibition “Peoples of the Plateau: The Indian Photographs of Lee Moorhouse, 1898-1915″ (pictured) and current photographs by Heritage University students Kim Agiak, Nicole George, Kendall Mansfield, Brian Pinkham, Michael Sekaquaptewa and Mallorie Yates.
The opening reception will feature a blessing and performance by the Yakama Warriors at 2:30 p.m.
Runs through March 7. Call 574-4875, or visit www.larsongallery.org.

• At the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive.
“Treasures from the Plateau,” a selection of baskets, beadwork, parfleches and horse gear made by Yakama, Klickitat and Nez Perce Native Americans.
Runs through March 29. Call 248-0747, or visit www.yakimavalleymuseum.org.

• At the Allied ArtsCenter, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave.
“Contemporary Native American Art” by Lillian Pitt, Leo Adams, Vivian Harrison, HollyAnna DeCoteau Pinkham, Joe Feddersen, Jeremy Red Star Wolf and James Lavador. (Note: Originally nine artists were to show work but because of the snow storms in Spokane, Ric Gendron and George Flett were unable to send their work.)
The opening reception will feature a basket weaving demonstration by Harrison.
Runs through Feb. 19. Call 966-0930, or visit www.alliedartsyakima.org.

• At Oak Hollow Gallery, Chalet Place, 5631 Summitview Ave.
A private collection of Yakama Nation flat beaded bags from the 1920s through 1989.
Runs through Feb. 20. Call 965-3846.

HERE is a full story on the “Yakima Honors Peoples of the Plateau” exhibition.
For a past story on the Moorhouse exhibition’s visit to the Burke Museum in Seattle, click HERE. And YH-R reporter Phil Ferolito wrote this related STORY on the Burke Museum’s Plateau Native Arts Celebration.

In conjunction with the “Yakima Honors” exhibitions, throughout February there will be presentations and panel discussions, an art workshop and special event at the Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center. Here is the schedule:

• Artwork and Columbia River Gorge Petroglyphs (YVCC Diversity Series).
7-8 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Larson Gallery. Free.
Jan Whitefoot, artist and long-time resident on the Yakama Reservation, will present an in-depth visual journey and look at the petroglyphs and their meaning. She and her husband Frank operate the Whitefoot Studio in Harrah.

• Ledger Painting Workshop.
2-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Allied ArtsCenter.
Cost is $65 and pre-registration is required. Call 966-0930.
George Flett will discuss the history of ledger painting, have examples of his work available and lead a demonstration after which participants will be able to paint and draw on supplied ledger paper.

• Keeping Our Heritage Alive.
5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Heritage Restaurant in the Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center in Toppenish.
Cost is $25, includes dinner, a guided tour and a traditional dance performance. Call the Larson Gallery at 574-4875 for reservations.
As neighbors, join us and learn about Yakama culture, history and arts of the Plateau people of the mid-Columbia lands. The great icon of the Yakama Nation is known as the Anatush (Winterlodge) which is a 76 foot tower that represents a place of gathering in the cultural way of today.

• Trends in Contemporary Native American Art (Voices from the Past series).
1 p.m. Sunday Feb. 8 at the Allied ArtsCenter. Free
A panel discussion on trends in contemporary Native American art featuring Vivian Harrison, HollyAnna DeCoteau Pinkham, George Flett and Frank Janzen of the Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts.

• Two Presentations: Painter/Storyteller and Basket Weaver (YVCC Diversity Series).
7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Larson Gallery. Free
7-7:45 p.m. — Marlene Spencer Simla (Klickitat), will share examples of her artwork, family history and her illustrated children’s picture books.
7:45-8:30 p.m. — Nettie Jackson (Klickitat) is one of the most skilled and creative basket makers in the country. She will talk about her baskets and demonstrate how she uses bear grass and Western red cedar to create her beautiful coiled baskets. Nettie received the Washington State Governor’s Arts and Heritage Award in 1992.

• Language, Culture and Heritage (YVCC Diversity Series).
Thursday, Feb. 19 (time TBA) at Yakima Valley Community College. Free
Levina Wilkens (Winatchapam) is the language program manager for the Yakama Nation and will speak to ethnic studies students about the importance of the Sahaptin language to her people and culture.

• Northwest Native American Art (YVCC Diversity Series).
Thursday, Feb. 19 (time TBA) at the Larson Gallery. Free.
Dr. Karen Roberts (Tlingit) who holds a PhD in anthropological studies and a PhD in literacy will talk to art classes about Northwest Coastal art including masks, totems and community houses.

• Beadwork and Fancy Dance Clothing (YVCC Diversity Series).
7-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Larson Gallery. Free.
Jerry Meninick (Palouse) is the deputy director for human and health services of the Yakama Nation. He will narrate a presentation about his collection of beadwork and fancy dance clothing that will be modeled by Agnes Meninick and Bernadine Ashue. Other clothing will be on display.

• Lee Moorhouse: Photographer in the Inland Northwest, 1898 – 1915 (Voices from the Past series).
1 p.m. Sunday, March 1 at the Yakima Valley Museum. Free.
Steve Grafe, curator of American Indian art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., and curator of the traveling “Peoples of the Plateau” exhibit at the Larson Gallery, will host a lecture about the show and share his insights about the work of Lee Moorhouse.