Paul G

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Smithsonian Institution has bought a beaded buckskin dress used by an Oklahoma City woman in pow wows and dance competitions.

Keri Jhane Myers' dress will be displayed for the first time next spring as part of an exhibit titled ''Dancing in Beauty'' at the National Museum of the American Indian.

''It's a momentous occasion for me,'' said Myers, who is Comanche. ''It's great that I'll have something that will be in the Smithsonian that my children and grandchildren will see.''

Myers declined to say how much the museum paid for the dress, leggings, belt and other matching pieces.

The dress was made by the late Alice Jones Littleman of the Kiowa Tribe in 1994, and Myers and a friend added accessories. Myers wore the dress in 2003 when she won the buckskin dress dance competition at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, N.M.

Myers, who runs her own public relations consulting business and publishes a magazine on Indian gaming in Oklahoma, calls the outfit ''Ekopt Kwasuyt,'' Comanche for red dress.

She wore it for the last time Aug. 20 for a family portrait.

''I'm feeling kind of sad right now,'' Myers said. ''But my grandma used to say it's good to have things so you can share them. I can't think of a better way to share this.''

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096413627

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Wojapi4Me

Just finished reading this same article in Indian Country Today, and they have a nice photograph of her outfit laid out being ready to be shipped. This is a neat thing I think. I know some out there might oppose it, but I think its an action of self-determination. Just think back to how museums used to get Indian clothes and articles and think about how respectful this transaction went...times are changing for the better...at least in regards to things like this.

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sltate

That's awesome. I believe the NMAI has Rebecca "Tooky" Brady's purple Cheyenne Dress for their exhibit as well. I would like to Jonathon WindyBoys original grass dance outfit put into the museum as well. I am happy that our culture is being preserved with such good taste.

billyjoejimbob

I hear Alice Littleman dresses are very pricey.

I know a lady who has one with just basic beadwork and no accessories on it and someone offered her $8k 2 years ago.

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holdTHEsalt

"i'm feeling kinda sad right now." Keri Jhane said.

God you feel sad becuse you sold out for money! In the long run thats what it is. why not continue sharing the dress through danceing. Let the dress live thru healing through dance? let her children and grandchilren share the dress thru danceing not behind some glass case!

Redstone

Alice Littleman, Kiowa, deceased, was a master craftswoman, and was one of the best. It takes a lot of work to make those southern dresses. It was nice that Keri decided to share with the world as well, and I am sure a tough decision too!

sltate

I don't really think this is a sell out, though I am sure alot of money changed hands. LOL What if it had been "donated" to the museum?Just kidding...anyway, some things should be preserved and I am sure the Smithsonian will do a beautiful job of preserving such a work of art by an outstanding artist. Especially since the artist is deceased, it would be worth saving. If need be, a replica can be done for the girls and grandkids to wear therefore keeping the spirit of the dress alive, but I think it was a good decision to preserve this particular dress for the museum.