Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM), in partnership with the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) has announced the 21 artists selected for the 2025 Native Craft Artist Readiness Program (NCARP), out of the 180 artists that applied. Among the 21 artists is local Samoan artist, Regina (Reggie) Meredith-Fitiao from the village of Leone.

Reggie is the only “Samoan Pacific Islander” on the list with other selected artists noted as from different US Indian tribes/ nations, such as the Cherokee Nation, Inupiaq, Choctaw Nation, Odawa Indians, etc.

She is listed as a ‘textile’ artist. Reggie is a well-known local siapo artist, who is known not only for her siapo work but also her efforts to keep the traditional Samoan arts ‘alive’ as expressions of our Samoan identity in our everyday lives.

According to the NCARP press release, the program “is a capacity-building program designed to empower Native artists with the skills and resources they need to build successful and sustainable craft art businesses.

“Through training, mentorship, and financial support, the program equips artists with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the art market and thrive in their creative careers.

“Upon successful completion of the program, each artist will receive a $10,000 grant to support the implementation of their business plans.”

Susan Feller, ATALM President & CEO said, “We are excited to continue this partnership with CERF+ towards empowering Native craft artists.”

“This program provides invaluable support that enables these talented individuals to build strong foundations for their artistic careers."

NCARP is funded by CERF+ and the Windgate Foundation, in partnership with the National Folklife Network, and the Ford Foundation.

The program will commence in March 2025.

The artists selected for the Program include:

Cathy Abercrombie (Cherokee Nation), Jay, Oklahoma, Textiles;

Bobby Brewer (Inupiaq), Anchorage, Alaska, Beadwork, Jewelry, Regalia/Fashion Design, Sewing Arts, Textiles;

Franklin Carrillo (Laguna Pueblo/Choctaw Nation) Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jewelry, Metal-smithing;

Donald Chippewa III (Little Traverse Bay of Odawa Indians), Lansing, Michigan, Jewelry, Metalsmithing, Mixed media;

Gregory Drapeau (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska), Lemoore, California, Beadwork, Jewelry, Mixed media, Quillwork, Regalia/Fashion Design, Sewing Arts, Textiles;

Teresa Dunlap (Catawba Indian Nation), Rock Hill, South Carolina, Basketry, Ceramics, Mixed Media;

Hillary Kempenich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), Grand Forks, North Dakota, Beadwork, Jewelry, Mixed media, Regalia/Fashion Design, Textiles;

Kyle Kootswatewa (Hopi), Tuba City, Arizona, Basketry, Ceramics, Textiles;

Regina Meredith-Fitiao (Samoan Pacific Islander), Pago Pago, American Samoa, Textiles;

Golga Oscar (Yup'ik), Bethel, Alaska, Beadwork, Quillwork, Regalia/Fashion Design, Textiles;

Reine Pavlik (Tlingit), Yakutat, Alaska, Beadwork, Sewing Arts;

Harrison Preston (Tohono O’odham) Tucson, Arizona, Basketry, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metal-smithing;

Shelby Rowe (Chickasaw Nation), Oklahoma City,  Oklahoma;

Lisa Rutherford (Cherokee Nation), Beadwork, Ceramics, Jewelry, Regalia/Fashion Design, Textiles;

Paige Skenandore (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin), Oneida, Wisconsin, Beadwork, Quillwork, Shell carving;

Frances Soctomah (Passamaquoddy Tribe), Orono, Maine Basketry, Beadwork;

Kayla Wave (Tlingit Tribe of Southeast Alaska), Port Ludlow, Washington, Jewelry, Metal-smithing, Mixed media;

Alica Wildcatt (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Cherokee, North Carolina, Jewelry;

Jennifer Wilson (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Reston, Virginia, Beadwork, Laser Engraving, Mixed media;

Venaya Yazzie, (Navajo/Diné/Hopi), Farmington, New Mexico, Jewelry, Mixed media, Woodcarving;

Shawn Zephier (Onondaga Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), Las Vegas, Nevada, Beadwork.

(A list of artists and samples of their work are available on the ATALM Native Craft Artist Readiness Program webpage at https://www.atalm.org/programs/current-programs/native-craft-artist-read....)

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION OF TRIBAL ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES, AND MUSEUMS

The Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) is an international association dedicated to preserving and advancing the language, history, culture, and lifeways of Indigenous peoples.

Founded in 2010, ATALM maintains a network of support for Indigenous cultural programs, provides professional development training, enables collaboration among tribal and non-tribal cultural institutions, and advocates for programs and funding to sustain the cultural sovereignty of Native Nations.

To learn more, visit www.atalm.org or follow us on Facebook.

ABOUT CERF+ -- THE CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

Since 1985, CERF+ has assisted thousands of professional artists working in craft disciplines with emergency financial assistance as well as resources and educational programs for any studio-based artist designed to strengthen and sustain their careers.

CERF+ has endeavored to assure the well-being and success of individual artists, but also, through research and advocacy, to advance the needs and status of the craft field in general. It has developed the expertise and reputation as the “go to”organization for artists working in craft disciplines. Over this time, CERF+ has become a respected leader on the national arts scene, advocating for improving the overall support for U.S. artists before, during, and after disasters through its leadership with the National Coalition for Artis Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER).

ABOUT THE FORD FOUNDATION

The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization with assets currently valued at $16 billion. For more than 85 years it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOLKLIFE NETWORK

The National Folklife Network is a national initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Southwest Folklife Alliance and in collaboration with Alliance for California Traditional Arts and First Peoples Fund.

ABOUT THE WINDGATE FOUNDATION

Windgate Foundation, based in Little Rock Arkansas, is a private foundation established in 1993 whose purpose is to advance contemporary craft and strengthen visual arts education in the United States. Education, health, and community initiatives are an additional area of focus in Arkansas.