Nizhoni Ranch News

Highlighting the Incredible Weaver Berlinda Nez-Barber

Master Weaver: Berlinda Nez

From:  the Shiprock Area of the Navajo Nation
CLAN: “Where Water Meets Born for Tangle” Clan and “Bitter Water” Clan, Her Nali is Comanche Warrior. 
 
Berlinda started Weaving in summer of 1990 when she was 14 years old.  She was taught by her Mother, Grace Nez.  Berlinda’s weavings have been in several exhibitions at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ. 

Berlinda is from the famous and talented Nez family.  Her mother Grace and 7 sisters are all award winning and highly respected Master Weavers.  Berlinda, “I have no favorite styles of weaving, they all turn out wonderful and incredibly beautiful.  Weaving is hard and takes a lot of thought and time, you need time!  But weaving is also a lot of fun!” 

Berlinda says, “I think the most exciting part of my work is when a weaving is completed.  You look at the work done and know that I did that!  The rugs are beautiful, they always are.  My mom, Grace Nez, was always my influence and my sister Lena too, because they did and do large rugs.  My sister Helene is also an inspiration to me because she does sandpainting rugs.  There are designs I would still like to weave, yes.  I moved off the Navajo Reservation for 12 years and then moved back.  I have a family of my own and hope to weave more now and see some of my designs come to life.” 


Below are weavings by Berlinda that are currently available.


Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 21 : 72" x 120" (6' x 10')  $ 42,000

This weaving is woven with wool dyed that used all natural dyes! This weaving has been tucked away in the Getzwiller personal collection, as many of the Nez pieces have, since it was finished in 1996.  It is time for this piece to grace the home of a new owner.    

Night Sky Yei be Chei Pictorial Navajo Weaving : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 227 : 48" x 105" (4' x 8'9") : $ 50,000

Berlinda started this weaving July 1998 and finished Jan 2000 : 1 1/2 years on the loom.  It is woven so tightly, it is difficult to even run a needle through it. This weaving has been tucked away in the Getzwiller personal collection, as many of the Nez pieces have, since it was finished in 2000.



Teec Nos Pos / Red Mesa Navajo Rug : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 1716 : 30.5" x 45.5" (2'6.5" x 3'9.5") $ 5,000
2023 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Award Winner!
It has been many years since we have had a rug from Berlinda.  She completed this one in early 2023.

The Getzwiller Family Mourns the Loss of Steve

Steve Getzwiller quietly left this world on August 23rd , 2023 at the age of 74. He left it a more beautiful place, though, having elevated the artistry of Navajo weavings and those who created them up to a whole other level. He was born March 4th, 1949, to Marion and Kathryn “Kay” (Harrigan) Getzwiller in Benson, Arizona. He was the fourth generation of his family to grow up in the ranching life of southeastern Arizona. As a kid he often hung around the Amerind Foundation in Dragoon, a museum and research center for Native American arts and culture, and was inspired to study anthropology at the University of Arizona. When he was 18, he traded his childhood collection of .22 rifles for his first Navajo rug. After college, he started carving out his own path as a trader on the reservation, buying and selling pawn jewelry and weavings much like famous traders Hubbell or J.B. Moore did generations earlier. But again, he took it to another level. It was the beginning of his Nizhoni Ranch Gallery first in Benson and later in Sonoita. His truck was his office on four wheels, crisscrossing the Navajo Nation often without a paved road or map but going on instinct. For more than 50 years, he worked closely with weavers, not just by selling their pieces, but so much more. “There’s definitely mutual respect,” he once said, describing the collaborative relationships he developed. “I’m their banker, employer, counselor, and friend. Their problems become my problems.” Steve and his wife Gail were family to them. Steve helped to bring back the churro sheep to the Navajo. He also wanted to preserve the past, and bring recognition to works of unknown weavers of the 19th and early 20th century. Steve Getzwiller’s book, “The Fine Art of Navajo Weaving” with photographs by Ray Manley, introduced the old along with contemporary weaving to countless others beyond the Southwest. Like his dad, a world champion rodeo star, Steve was pretty quiet about his life. As he once said, “The goal of my life’s work with the Navajo weavers has been to see how far I can push the envelope, how much I can help improve contemporary Navajo weaving and bring it to the highest level possible.” He was predeceased by his parents, and is survived by his wife Gail, daughter Jamie Hellems (James), son Sean Getzwiller (Aspyn) and grandchildren (Oliver, Dorian, Holden, Carter Kay). He also leaves behind his sister Darby Getzwiller and brother Joe Getzwiller. At this time, services are pending. Famliy requests donations to "Forever Navajo" Foundation in lieu of flowers.

August 17th

National Nonprofit Day, recognized in America on August 17, raises awareness of charitable contributions from nonprofit groups across the world. The awareness day followed the 1894 Tariff Act that introduced the first federal tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations.

Please consider supporting our non-profit.

Forever Navajo - Supporting Navajo Weavers

FOREVER NAVAJO is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Steve and Gail Getzwiller to help the Navajo weaver and keep the Navajo Weaving Tradition alive.

OUR MISSION: TO ENSURE THE ADVANCEMENT AND SURVIVAL OF THE UNIQUE INDIGENOUS WEAVING ART FORM OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NAVAJO NATION, NAVAJO WEAVING.

The Primary Purpose of Forever Navajo is to Preserve the Fine Art of  Navajo Weaving through 

* Educating the public about the Navajo weaver and Navajo weaving 

* Sponsor/funding documentaries, films, articles, books, lectures about Navajo weaving

* Work with other foundations or organizations to deliver assistance to Navajo weavers

* Sponsor/fund Navajo weaving workshops

Nizhoni Ranch Gallery gives a percentage of each sale to the Forever Navajo Foundation

To Donate: checks can be written to FOREVER NAVAJO 

and mail to : FOREVER  NAVAJO
P.O. BOX 815
SONOITA AZ 85637

INFO@FOREVERNAVAJO.ORG
520-455-5020

501C3 NON-PROFIT - EIN: 82-5231532

 

 

2023 Award Winners - Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

  
Two Grey Hill : Navajo Rug : Irene Bia : Churro 1732 : 48" x 75" : $9,000
Award : 1st Place (112)

Ganado Navajo Rug : Elsie Bia : Churro 1726 : 37" x 60" : $8,000
Award : 1st Place (141)

Teec Nos Pos : Lena Nez : Churro 1714 : 36" x 64" (3' x 5'4") : $ 7,500
Award : 1st Place (145)

Pictorial Single Saddle Navajo Blanket : GH : Churro 1708 : 29" x 31" (2'5" x 2'7") : $ 2,000
Award : 1st Place (174)

 

Crystal Navajo Rug : Ervin Phillips : Churro 1725 : 35" x 72" : $ 5,500
Award : 2nd Place (150)

Manta Navajo Weaving : Jalucie Marianito : Churro 1717 : 36" x 44" : $ 4,500
Award : 2nd Place (142)

Two Grey Hill Navajo Rug : Helen Bia : Churro 1718 : 29" x 36" (2'5" x 3") : $4,000
Award : 2nd Place (101)

Yei Navajo Weaving : GH : Churro 1730 : 27" x 47" : $ 2,200
Award : 2nd Place (165)

2023 Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

We are getting the Churro weavings ready to enter into the art show at Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. 

For decades now Nizhoni Ranch and Steve Getzwiller have submitted weavings on behalf of our weavers for judging.  We are proud of our weavers who have won countless awards and prize money! 

We have 20 weavings to enter this year and sure they will take home ribbons.  Check back after the 13th for the list of our award winning rugs.  Wish our weavers luck!

Click here for more information about Gallup Ceremonial.

Hopi Katsinas

Two-year old Kelly Shupula with gifts she received from the Katsinam at a ceremony.

Central to Hopi religion, Katsinas are supernatural beings believed to live on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. Hopi men embody the Katsina spirits during ceremonies that take place between Winter Solstice and mid-July. The Hopis believe these spirits enable them to live in harmony with nature, ensuring rain, crops, fertility, and good hunting. The Hopi men embody the spirits of these Katsinas by wearing masks and dancing in the plazas of the villages. The dolls, which are carved replicas of the dancers, are given to the children so that they may learn about their people's traditions. The art of carving Katsina dolls has evolved from the old-style block-like figures into today's highly detailed, all-wood dolls with realistic form and action.

Over time, Katsina Dolls became more and more sophisticated and included bases for the dolls to stand on and showing the Katsina in “action”- such as dancing or hunting. All Katsina Dolls are carved out of the root of the Cottonwood tree. The Cottonwood tree’s vigorous roots travel far and deep in search of water. There is spiritual importance in this fact, as the Hopis are dry farmers in an arid part of Arizona and the search for water is of critical importance to their culture. 

Click to view our collection of Katsinas for sale 

For more about Katsinas keep reading... 

Holy Girl Is Back!

Yei - Holy Girl Pictorial : Historic : GHT 1041 : 48" x 102" : (4' x 8'6") : $12,000

This female Yei stands over 8 feet tall!  It is woven with beautiful light gray background, vibrant red, deep black and cream wool in the design.  A lovely stepped border stands between two Spider woman cross borders. 

This weaving was part of the 2016 Woven Holy People exhibit at Nizhoni Ranch Gallery and is on page 13 of the catalog for the show.

Taking part in the Tucson Desert Art Museum Exhibit Titled: Sacred Dancers: Ceremonial Navajo Weavings.  December 15, 2021 to June 25, 2022.

More Pictorials:

Pictorial Navajo Weaving : GH : Churro 1692 : 25.5" x 32" (2'1.5" x 2'8") : $1,200

Pictorial Navajo Rug : Ervin Phillips : 3425 : 19" x 23" ( 1'7" x 1'11") : $1,500

 
Yei : Navajo Pictorial Weaving : Anita Tsosie : 3422 : 70" x 84" (5'10" x 7'2") : $12,500

 
Night Sky Yei be Chei Pictorial Navajo Weaving : Berlinda Nez Barber : Churro 227 : 48" x 105" (4' x 8'9") : $25,500

We have many more pictorials to choose from.  Please click here.

Future 5th+ Generation Navajo Weaver has arrived!

This lovely ones comes from strong weaving roots - arguably from the most talented weaving family today!  Welcome little one!

Wine Down Open House Friday 4-28, 5:30 to 7:30

We are excited to announce we will be holding a Wine Down (Open House) Friday April 28, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Gallery.

It is the perfect time of year to enjoy beautiful weavings, wonderful friends and gorgeous sunsets.  Please bring your favorite wine (or drink) and a dish to share.  

RSVP to steve@navajorug.com or 520-455-5020.

Hope to see you there!

Special Place in Arizona!

November 25th, Native American Heritage Day

The month of November is more than Thanksgiving. It's also Native American Heritage Month, a time designated to honor and recognize the contributions Indigenous people have made to the United States.

"Our resilience and our strength as the first peoples of this land should be celebrated every day," said IllumiNative founder Crystal Echo Hawk.  

"As Indigenous peoples, we stand in our power every day. We continue to pass down traditions through ceremony, protect the wellness and health of our communities, and fight for clean air and water," she said.

Native American Heritage Month provides a national platform for Indigenous people to shed light on their communities by leading discussions about culture and tradition, educating the public about tribal communities or celebrating culture by wearing traditional footwear for a week.

"The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people," according to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).

"Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges."

“Native American communities play a critical role in the growth and prosperity of our state,” Ducey said in a news release. “Arizona is enriched by the many diverse contributions from people all across our state, and this month, we are proud to celebrate the Native American community’s vibrant heritage, civic leadership, and history of service to our state and nation."

Arizona is home to 22 tribes, and tribal land makes up approximately 28% of the state’s land base, according to the governor's office.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

 We give thanks for family and friends this Thanksgiving Holiday!

Safe travels to all!