Exhibit to feature man's silk-screened powwow posters - Joe Liles

Paul G · 11-21-2005, 12:54 PM

Exhibit to feature man's silk-screened powwow posters

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By Susan Broili : The Herald-Sun
sbroili@heraldsun.com
Nov 18, 2005 : 10:51 pm ET

DURHAM -- The story of how Joe Liles came to promote and participate in Indian culture could be said to begin 38 years ago on a New Mexico prairie.

Evidence of the path he wound up taking can be seen in the exhibition "Powwow: The Heartbeat of a People" at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. The exhibit features over 30 of Liles' silk-screened powwow posters and other related items.

Some of his posters have promoted powwows held for the last 14 years at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham where he teaches art.

The posters for Akwe:kon, the school's American Indian student group, feature some of the dancers Liles has met through the years.

Liles, 55, a Durham resident, attended his first powwow at 17. He remembers the snow-covered Rocky Mountain peaks that rose above the prairie where Taos Pueblo Indians danced, sang and drummed that summer day.

"I was attracted to the music. I had figured American Indian music was chanting you kind of made up as you went along. I discovered extremely complex melodies. A large group of people was matching their voices to make one powerful voice. ? I wanted to know how they did that," Liles said in an interview.

His long, silvered hair, in a braid that reaches almost to his waist, is the only outward sign of his engagement with Indian culture. But as he speaks, it's clear that his inner connection runs deep.

"When I hear that music, it seems that the music is linked to the Creator and to the creation. It comes across as the original music of this land," Liles said. "I have come to realize through all of this that we are caretakers of the Earth and that the Creator or God is in constant evidence in the natural world."

This knowledge comes from attending many powwows. Liles now performs the music himself as a founding member of Southern Sun, an intertribal drum group formed in 1994. The group will appear at today's event.

Southern Sun has about 20 members, who sing and drum as they sit around a large cedar-and- buffalo rawhide drum.

"It's not only providing music all the dancers are dancing to. You're providing the heartbeat of the Indian people ? And, as long as that drum sounds its voice and provides that heartbeat, the Indian people will survive in this world," Liles said. "Many Indian people believe powwow has an important part in keeping Indian people alive and well because it keeps the heartbeat alive and well."

Even though the Southern Sun drum group welcomes all people, Liles is the only Caucasian routinely involved.

As a young man, he encountered resistance to his interest in American Indian culture. When he taught art at The Red School House, an American Indian Movement survival school in St. Paul, Minn., the militant students had first pegged him as an FBI undercover agent, he said.

But he also had tradition going for him.

"There's an Indian saying: 'People are welcome into the Indian community on the basis of what they have in their hearts and not necessarily on the basis of the color of their skin,' " Liles said.

He continues to feel a need to demonstrate what is in his heart.

"I still have to live with constantly proving my sincerity and legitimize my inclusion. I do it by trying to be a humble person ? and let my actions and my knowledge of the music speak for me," Liles said.

His appreciation of the culture has increased over the years.

"I love the sense of community. I love the values they place on the elders and their teachings ? They respect the elders and protect the youth as their gift to the future," Liles said.

He continues to make powwow posters for the same reason he began the practice.

"All of these posters combine fine art and advertising to promote the rebirth of Indian culture," Liles said.

In the 1960s and '70s, Indian tribes began having powwows as a way to reintroduce ancient traditions, he added.

He created his first powwow poster in 1971 to help promote the Lumbee tribe's first gathering in Pembroke, N.C. He based the design, rendered in browns with a blue sky, on a drawing he had made of singers around a drum in Oklahoma.

Today, North Carolina has many annual powwows. The state has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River with some 100,000 members among the eight state-recognized tribes.

http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-669896.html

Smokin' Ace · 11-21-2005, 04:52 PM

Hey - this is great - congrats to Joe. He is a great guy and considered a friend.

fancyfingers · 11-21-2005, 05:08 PM

Joe is a very special individual. i've known Joe for very long time. its so awlsome to see a non native that is so involved loving teaching, promoting etc. concerning natives for so many years. he has a special gift. when ever i see himm he is always giving complements to brighten my days. and i know alot of people feel the same way i feel. Joe me and family are so glad that you are a gooooot friend of ours, keep up all the goooot works that you have done. sincerely

brenda and family

11-21-2005, 12:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul G Webmaster Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 14,246 Blog Entries: 1	Exhibit to feature man's silk-screened powwow posters - Joe Liles Exhibit to feature man's silk-screened powwow posters ZIP code where you park at night: Do you currently have auto insurance? Yes No Have you had a U.S. driver's license for more than 3 years? Yes No Has any driver in your household had 2 or more accidents or moving violations in the last 3 years? Yes No By Susan Broili : The Herald-Sun sbroili@heraldsun.com Nov 18, 2005 : 10:51 pm ET DURHAM -- The story of how Joe Liles came to promote and participate in Indian culture could be said to begin 38 years ago on a New Mexico prairie. Evidence of the path he wound up taking can be seen in the exhibition "Powwow: The Heartbeat of a People" at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. The exhibit features over 30 of Liles' silk-screened powwow posters and other related items. Some of his posters have promoted powwows held for the last 14 years at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics in Durham where he teaches art. The posters for Akwe:kon, the school's American Indian student group, feature some of the dancers Liles has met through the years. Liles, 55, a Durham resident, attended his first powwow at 17. He remembers the snow-covered Rocky Mountain peaks that rose above the prairie where Taos Pueblo Indians danced, sang and drummed that summer day. "I was attracted to the music. I had figured American Indian music was chanting you kind of made up as you went along. I discovered extremely complex melodies. A large group of people was matching their voices to make one powerful voice. ? I wanted to know how they did that," Liles said in an interview. His long, silvered hair, in a braid that reaches almost to his waist, is the only outward sign of his engagement with Indian culture. But as he speaks, it's clear that his inner connection runs deep. "When I hear that music, it seems that the music is linked to the Creator and to the creation. It comes across as the original music of this land," Liles said. "I have come to realize through all of this that we are caretakers of the Earth and that the Creator or God is in constant evidence in the natural world." This knowledge comes from attending many powwows. Liles now performs the music himself as a founding member of Southern Sun, an intertribal drum group formed in 1994. The group will appear at today's event. Southern Sun has about 20 members, who sing and drum as they sit around a large cedar-and- buffalo rawhide drum. "It's not only providing music all the dancers are dancing to. You're providing the heartbeat of the Indian people ? And, as long as that drum sounds its voice and provides that heartbeat, the Indian people will survive in this world," Liles said. "Many Indian people believe powwow has an important part in keeping Indian people alive and well because it keeps the heartbeat alive and well." Even though the Southern Sun drum group welcomes all people, Liles is the only Caucasian routinely involved. As a young man, he encountered resistance to his interest in American Indian culture. When he taught art at The Red School House, an American Indian Movement survival school in St. Paul, Minn., the militant students had first pegged him as an FBI undercover agent, he said. But he also had tradition going for him. "There's an Indian saying: 'People are welcome into the Indian community on the basis of what they have in their hearts and not necessarily on the basis of the color of their skin,' " Liles said. He continues to feel a need to demonstrate what is in his heart. "I still have to live with constantly proving my sincerity and legitimize my inclusion. I do it by trying to be a humble person ? and let my actions and my knowledge of the music speak for me," Liles said. His appreciation of the culture has increased over the years. "I love the sense of community. I love the values they place on the elders and their teachings ? They respect the elders and protect the youth as their gift to the future," Liles said. He continues to make powwow posters for the same reason he began the practice. "All of these posters combine fine art and advertising to promote the rebirth of Indian culture," Liles said. In the 1960s and '70s, Indian tribes began having powwows as a way to reintroduce ancient traditions, he added. He created his first powwow poster in 1971 to help promote the Lumbee tribe's first gathering in Pembroke, N.C. He based the design, rendered in browns with a blue sky, on a drawing he had made of singers around a drum in Oklahoma. Today, North Carolina has many annual powwows. The state has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi River with some 100,000 members among the eight state-recognized tribes. http://www.herald-sun.com/durham/4-669896.html __________________ New to the site--Introduce Yourself Need Help--FAQ--Search Feedback--Post your suggestions MyTribalSpace.com \| NativeGatherings.com \| PowWows.com Podcast \| Indigitunes.com NativeSeek.com \| Pow Wow TV \| Pow Wow Radio \| NativeMusicSource.com Radio \| NDN411.com \| eSnag Online Dating

11-21-2005, 04:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Smokin' Ace Arena Director Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: United States Posts: 4,111	Hey - this is great - congrats to Joe. He is a great guy and considered a friend. __________________ Everything is gonna be alright! Be blessed - got love??? This b me..... www.myspace.com/akayo

11-21-2005, 05:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
fancyfingers Junior Dancer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: greensboro,nc Posts: 158	joe liles Joe is a very special individual. i've known Joe for very long time. its so awlsome to see a non native that is so involved loving teaching, promoting etc. concerning natives for so many years. he has a special gift. when ever i see himm he is always giving complements to brighten my days. and i know alot of people feel the same way i feel. Joe me and family are so glad that you are a gooooot friend of ours, keep up all the goooot works that you have done. sincerely brenda and family __________________ LIVE,LOVE AND BE FREE AND RELEASE YOUR INTERSELF :)

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