As Métis fiddlers Jamie Fox and Sapphire Ferguson-Jetty joined pianist Scotty Leach on the Folklife Area stage, festivalgoers stepped into the street for an impromptu dance, much to the delight of the crowd and musicians alike. Fox and Ferguson-Jetty are a mentor-mentee duo in the Montana Arts Council’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program, carrying forward Métis fiddle traditions through shared learning and performance.
Northern Cheyenne ledger artist Alaina Buffalo Spirit shared her work with festivalgoers. While ledger art has historically depicted the stories of male hunters and warriors, Buffalo Spirit uses the tradition to honor the women who came before her, bridging the traditional and contemporary to bring their stories to life through her vibrant work.
Salish educator and cultural practitioner Tim Ryan and Crow bead artist Birdie Real Bird took a break from demonstrating to learn about each other’s work.
As Department Head for Culture and Language in the Native American Studies Division, Ryan’s work as an educator and with material culture reflects the place-based ecological knowledge preserved by his Salish ancestors for thousands of years. Real Bird is recognized throughout Montana for her intricate beadwork, traditional regalia, moccasins, and handcrafted dolls. She also served as the lead Crow language writer and cultural consultant for Paramount+’s 1923.
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