Indigenous voices are integral to the stories of national parks. When Indigenous artists demonstrate their craft in parks, they inspire a deep respect for the stories of these sacred landscapes. These stories are not simply of the past. They are part of the vibrant and diverse cultures and communities of Indigenous peoples that continue to thrive today.
Cultures Thrive through Brilliant Storytelling and Creation
Arizona’s Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument commemorated Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2023 with a beautiful schedule of artists, including Charles Decker, a member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Joshua Ballze, with the Hia-Ced O’odham and Tarahumara Nations of the Southwest. For both artists, their work demonstrates and reflects their cultural ways of knowing, thriving, and storytelling. The voices of artists like Decker and Ballze add to the beautifully connected stories that many national parks programs help to amplify.
Resilience, Unity, and Endurance
Charles Decker, who currently lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, was named 2022 Artist of the Year at the National Indian Gaming Association. His life of artistic accomplishments also includes art installations at the association’s headquarters and the National Congress of American Indians Embassy, located near the White House in Washington D.C. His work ranges from portraits to iconic symbols of Yavapai-Apache culture. Additionally, Decker has been commissioned by the Cliff Castle Casino in central Arizona and by the Havasupai Tribal Nation located at the bottom of Grand Canyon. The custom paintings he created are on display. In all his work, Charles Decker seeks to inspire and depict strength. Of note are his intricate depictions of hummingbirds, a significant symbol of resilience, unity, and endurance. Decker donates his work and time to notable charities, often painting live at events so that he can give back to his communities and share his perspectives. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2023, Decker painted live at Montezuma Castle National Monument.
Strength and Beauty in the Present
Presenting at Tuzigoot, Joshua Ballze of the Hia-Ced O’odham and Tarahumara Nations has worked to combine his knowledge of archaeology and paleontology, his skills as a visual artist, and his Indigenous heritage. Joshua Ballze specializes in Paleoart, creating visuals for the National Park Service and other institutions. His realistic paintings of dinosaurs and other wildlife from the Paleo periods also emphasize and elevate the roles of the first peoples on the continent. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Ballze visited Tuzigoot National Monument where he painted live, depicting the cultural traditions preserved in the monument. Tuzigoot preserves and interprets some of the earliest evidence of human history, dating back 10,000 years as paleolithic hunter-gatherers are thought to have traveled through what was then a lush, green landscape, filled with pinyon pine, shrub live oak, and juniper. We know that people passed through Tuzigoot because of the presence of Clovis points, distinctive points that were most likely used at the end of spears. Life in the Verde Valley continued and still thrives today. Joshua Ballze’s work keeps the past alive and supports strength and beauty in the present.
Sacred Places
Both artists coming from unique cultures shared their work in beautiful national monuments dedicated to preserving Native American heritage. Park staff and visitors also recognize the contemporary brilliance of individuals who continue to support their communities and sustain a culture that will thrive for generations to come. Many national parks host Artist-in-Residence programs in addition to holding events where Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs can share and foster a connection to these sacred places.
By Julie Thompson
