burned but not buried

Anna Brown Ehlers (right) and her art, made using Chilkat weaving techniques. Ehlers is Tlingit, born and raised in Juneau

Japan has a system where skilled traditional craftspeople and performers are recognized as “Living National Treasures”. These are people who have mastered their art and ensure that traditional techniques are kept alive and passed on. The tangible objects they create are masterpieces of great value, but their intangible skills and knowledge are priceless. It is a great honor to be a Living National Treasure, and the Japanese government has a specific grant to subsidize these artists so that they can continue to create and enrich the culture of Japan.

Indigenous artists deserve this level of recognition and support. Anna Brown Ehlers and Jennie Thlunaut were both awarded heritage fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, but that is really insufficient recognition for the work they’ve done to preserve and revive and teach the art of Chilkat weaving. Not only the weaving technique, but also the art of formline design itself.