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February 2008
Eleanor Lefthand Bianchi
Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
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As sole proprietor of A Gallery of Nations, I wear the many hats of running a small business. The idea of my own business was at first just a simple statement; I wonder if I can sell my family's art on line.
That is how it started. I had experience in retail sales so I felt I could find the artists and market their art. A simple statement which has taken me, so far, on many different learning and growing paths.
One of the primary goals of my business is to promote a culture of respect and appreciation for our Native American Art in all its forms and mediums.
I see the need to set in motion a model of cultural exchange between Native artists and others in the art business that we as Native Americans can market our art.
My hope is that my business will provide a basis for Native artists to realize profits from their art and build an economic base for financial success, no matter where they live.
In addition I hope to promote an interest in our youth to educate themselves in computer science to further their social and economic goals.
The collection that is presented on A Gallery of Nations is a very small representation of the many different styles and forms that we as Native Americans have to offer. One of my goals is to expand my website to include the work of the many promising Native American artists unable to market their craft. Any Native Artists interested in selling your art on the internet, please contact me. I'll be happy to work with you to promote your art.
When asked about advice for other Native American entrepreneurs my response is; make plans, set goals and don't give up.
I am surprised at the opportunities that my website A Gallery of Nations has given me so far and I look forward to many more.
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Eleanor, or "Aunt Elli" as I've known her all my life is a woman who has always represented quiet determination and dedication to her family and her culture and to lifelong learning. She has served as a role model for me as one of the only women among my family elders to attend college and attain a degree.
She has lent her many talents and interests to a variety of endeavors over her life, but what characterizes many of these endeavors is a commitment to preserving and sharing the Native American culture she embodies with those of us who only knew of it only from pop culture stories and school textbooks.
Her business, A Gallery of Nations, is one of only a handful of Internet-based concerns owned and operated by a Native American. Working with well-known and highly skilled family members who have established names for themselves in the area of Native American art, her business brings a presence to the World Wide Web of active and engaged stewardship, as her goal is to preserve the quality and culturally meaningfulness of the artworks in which she deals.
A further, and equally powerful goal of her business is to provide the means for financial success by Native Americans from the sale of their artwork. As such, her business is an exciting example of ways in which indigenous peoples can use the new frontier in Cyberspace to attain their financial and cultural aspirations.
I am proud to say I know her, even more proud to say I continue to learn from her example.
Dr. Kelly M. Estrada
Assistant Professor of Education
Sonoma State University
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PAST ENTREPRENEURS |
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February 08 Eleanor Lefthand Bianchi
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