Welcome To Sole Nation Health

Yolanda Hart Stevens

Artist Statement

I am Pee-Posh/Quechan from the Yuman Peoples of the Colorado River, enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, currently residing in Komatke, Arizona.

Beadwork has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It is a vital connection to my family, my grandmother, my daughters, my 6 granddaughters and my great- great granddaughters to come. The beadwork, my formal attire, is identification to who I am here in this world and into the next world.

I have had the privilege to grow up in an environment that supports our Yuman tradition, song, dance, bead work & dress making. I am a Bird Dancer dressed in the Quechan style, wearing traditional colors of red white & black. Adorned with Colorado Style Cape necklace, the dress was made to match the necklace. Ordinarily we do not have any foot wear when we dance. I have traveled around the Southwest to compete in Bird Dance Competitions; though, my main focus is to support the local communities that practice our traditional way during their time of need.

However, I enjoy working in a contemporary fashion to express my thoughts and relay my idea’s of today. This year I have begun working on a lithograph and mono prints to convey the thought that I can make an impact on diabetes. This is a medium that I have never worked in and decided to educate myself. My involvment with Sole Nation Health is to also bring diabetic awareness and prevention.

I also finished a short film entitled “Off the Rack” that aired April 2nd, this was on PBS in a series called “WE Are”. This was my views on traditional dress making & beadwork.

Also, I am working in large form to express myself through traditional clay in a contemporary approach, working on a 3 ft X 8ft wall of clay tiles and 4 ft X 6 ft wall of clay beads.

A big part of my purpose is to create art & support community art for the youth.

The beadwork, the dance, and the dress making have been my profession for the last 24 years. As I grew up I have seen the elders living the same life style and thought I wanted to be just like them. I had no idea all that was involved but I have been willing to do it and stay with it and it has been an education. My work has taken me to many palaces around the world and I am honored.