1994

Robert Lieb (Winnebago) would like to share news about his company. He started RCL & Associates, LLC in June of 2002 as a business consulting firm operating in Albuquerque, N.M. This year, he diversified and is now including project development into his business portfolio. Currently, his group is developing twelve acres in Los Lunas, N.M. This property will allow his firm to build 55 single family homes with views of the mountains and the Rio Grande River. As the owner/developer Rob has teamed up with a custom homebuilder and sales team from the Los Lunas marketplace. He is involved not only in the construction of the homes but also the sale of them. Charlene and Rob both send a big hello to all their ‘94 classmates and send their best wishes to all Ambassadors, Board members, AIO staff and give praise to LaDonna and Laura for continuing to carry the vision for our community. robmlieb@yahoo.com

Off on sabbatical from Smith College, Nancy Marie Mithlo (Fort Sill Chiricahua Warm Springs) is a Visiting Scholar with Stanford University's Research Institute of Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity academic year 2004-2005. She will be completing her manuscript on Native Women in the arts and reconnecting with the Stanford native community. Nancy received her doctorate from Stanford in 1993. Nancy and daughter Lozen (who is nine years old) are avid bike commuters on campus, "Life is just so much easier without snow." nmithlo@smith.edu

All rise! The Honorable Winona Tanner (Confederated Salish & Kootenai) has been selected and sworn in as Chief Judge for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Court in Montana. Undoubtedly the appointment was made due to Winona’s legal prowess, but AIO likes to pretend it was their recommendation letter. University of Montana Professor Dave Beck, AIO advisor, was there on behalf of LaDonna to congratulate Winona for her ability to weave cultural values into her work on the bench. winonatanner@hotmail.com

Now on to a very literal example of weaving cultural values into one’s work, Marie Watt (Seneca Nation) held an exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in New York City that ran from Sept. 9 to Jan.3. The solo show featured blankets that Marie had been acquiring for years from thrift stores and attics. More than 75 people helped Marie stitch the piece Braid, 22 feet wide and 10 feet tall, two wool panels covered with intricate hand-sewn patterns cut out of the blankets. It was commented that the experience created community, people came together and shared stories as they huddled around stitching the piece together. The exhibit will go to Portland’s Lewis & Clark College’s gallery in mid-January. mwatt@qwest.net