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Show ST. GEORGE 16 — For the week of October 3,.2008 NEIGHBORHOODS The Spectrum — www.thespectrum.com Program offers assistance to member of Hopi tribe BY BOB HUDSON bhudson@thespectrum.com HURRICANE — When Mike Sweat neéded a Southern Utah _ director for his Hopi Outreach program, he sought advice from Hartman Rector Jr. Rector, an emeritus gen- eral authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been involved with providing assistance to the American Indians for years. Rector suggested that Sweat contact Roberta Bryant, who was the Southern Utah vice president for American Indian Services for about 15 years. “| was referred to Roberta by.Hartman Rector Jr., who Indians and is very sensitive to their needs’ Bryant, who lives . and works. in Hurricane, has always had an affinity for Native Americans, those who people more than 50 years old have always called American Indians. She works as a realtor and as property manager for The Canyons RV Resort: “Tve always had, in my _,. (866) 674-0320 fa ‘aul said she is a go-getter, Sweat recalled in an e-mail. “Someone who at times you have to pull a little bit on the reins, but never have to-say ‘getty-up: She is constantly on the go with Hopi Outreach and always coming up with new ideas. She loves the Native American (435) 674-0320 heart, something about the Indians, but never knew any Indians; Bryant said of her growing-up years in the logging camps of Oregon. Her mother died when she was 7. A few years later, Bryant's step-mother told Bryant that she is_halfIndian. But she didn't tell her about any tribal affiliation. Nearly. 30 years ago, her. mothers.. niece tracked her down ‘and took her to Cortez. Colo., to meet fam- ily members. They didn't tell her what tribe she’s a member of, either. “Once I went to Colorado and realized I was. part Indian, (her affinity and yearnings) made more sense, Bryant said. ~Fast-forward to 1985. Bryant was attending Utah Valley Community College. She became friends with Bear. Claw, a Lakota Sioux and his family. They eventually did a ceremony adopting cc Bob Hudson / St. George Neighborhoods Roberta Bryant shows off one of the Native American dolls she used to make. her into that tribe. About that same time, Bryant met a woman who intended to build an Indian cultural center in Ivins. She and a daughter moved to Southern Utah to be involved in that project. When it became apparent that project was not going to go forward, Bryant made a career ree change. She began making porcelain dolls which she sold in a shop in LaVerkin. Bear Claw and his wife worked at a museum in Lehi and thus had access to authentic Indian costumes. The woman made drawings of the clothing and jewelry and Bryant dressed her dolls appropriately. “I did everything as authentic as I could; said Bryant, who noted that her dolls had authentic jewelry and bead work in addition to authentic dresses. After five years of run- ning her shop, she closed down, in part because it was becoming difficult for her to do the detail work because of health issues. She then became involved with American Indian Services, assisting president Gerald Hall with its Southern Utah programs. In 2004 and 2005 Hall and Bryant both had health problems and left AIS. It took Bryant three years to recover from her health problems. When she did, “I eSee HOPIS on pg. 18 nm = x 2 S : PR ey ‘§ 5 De EET www.skyviewtech.com 845 Red Hills Pkwy., George, Ut 84770 St. i ith this ad thru 10/31/08 aoa = consignments 1 Offer valid for a limited time. i 7 Offer valid for Ist consultation § Find Out How You i only Present coupon when ° ‘ od a Fresh Air! |