DECEMBER 30, 2022 ARTS + CULTURE Art intel presents international Native artist Inty Muenala. He has traveled the world and has landed on the shores of Ann Arbor. I was wandering the Briarwood Mall and lo and behold, right before me was a very colorful shop named Natives written in a unique way NTVES. I, as a Native Canadian from the Kaska Dene Tribe, was in fact shocked to see this store. We tribal people are so underrepresented in the mainstream. I personally have known Muenala for years as a vendor for his artwork at the Ann Arbor Pow Wow. As a native dancer I always had people come up to me after the fact saying, “When is the Ann Arbor Pow Wow going to be held?” Sadly I would tell them it was now in fact over and to look for it the next year. But now I can also tell them NTVES is here and we all hope to stay. NTVES was created by Inty Muenala and his wife Lizbeth Conejo Kawaii. Muenala comes from the Kichwa tribe of South America Ecuador in the Otavalo region; his tribe honors the Condor, a bird of greatness representing liberty, love and protection. He has has been making art for 25 years. He was educated in the capital of wonderful His beautiful wife helps create the jackets and GROUNDCOVER NEWS Undercover art intel: Native American art store opens in Ann Arbor My last question was what the store fashion designs. His son is finishing up at his university, studying international marketing and business. He hopes to join the family after graduation. What is found in the new native CINDY GERE Groundcover vendor No. 279 Ecuador at the Central University of Quito, and he was also educated in New York in 2002 at the Art Students League. Muenala’s art reflects the web of life and natural native spirituality of the ages before 1492. His colors blast on the canvas and create vibrant images that tell stories of native life. Muenala has traveled across continents to display his works in France, Russia, Italy, Canada, the United States and his home lands of Quidore. I asked him what made him come to Ann Arbor. He talked about how the lakes and water reflect his home village back in Ecuador. He loves the lush trees here as well. store? Wonderful paintings and native-made clothing from Lizbeth. There are wonderful sculpted pipes, beadworks and blankets. Other items are sage dreamcatchers and, of course, Muenala’s paintings. My personal favorites are the shields, jackets, blankets and the wolf pipe in the image shown below — all reflect my Wolf Clan. My clan of wolf represents family, loyalty and warriorship. Muenala can also be seen with his artworks at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in July and the Dance for Mother Earth Pow Wow. The Pow Wow will be held this year Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, 2023. was about — besides just bringing Native American culture to every American home. He replied, “Where there is no representation other than reservations and online, I want to bring together the sacred part of our native ways and strength, with the web of life — unity of all — and show off the native tribes of the Americas to the world.” Native Americans are very important to the original cultures of the Americas. My tribe is Kaska Dene from the Yukon, Canada. Seeing the store brings faith back into my world and I hope and pray yours. Let us all join together in the sacred ways of this shop and bring back the unity of the United States of America because that was the original dream of the Indian soul. Yours truly, Kung Fu Panda aka Kulema, Fire Woman. NTVES.COM FACEBOOK.COM/NTVES2020/ INSTAGRAM: @NTVES.CO 7 Conquer the Cold is Back! The challenge returns January 10–February 10, 2023! Register now at CommuteandWin.org #OwnWinter @getdowntown The getDowntown Program provides commuting programs and services to downtown Ann Arbor employees and employers. A program of TheRide, getDowntown's partners include the City of Ann Arbor and the Ann Arbor DDA. Top and bottom left: Decorative pipes and a wolf shield available for purchase at NTVES. Bottom right: Muenela's largest pieces, including "Water is life, Sacred Protector" are on display throughout the store.
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