Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Ornelia.
Cathy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am an Akimel O’odham (Pima) woman and a Community Member of the Gila River Indian Community, but I live here in Escondido CA. I am also registered as an Authentic Certified Native American Artist through the U.S. Department of Indian Arts and Craft Board.
I have been a stay at home mom for over 22 years raising my five children. When my youngest graduated two years ago, I knew I had to find a new career. I had always done some kind of art in my garage for sanity reason raising my kids. 🙂 A friend of mine told me about this open spot where I could have a Studio Gallery where I could share my art and culture. With a lot of fear and excitement, My Native Corner was birthed July 2018.
My Native Corner is a place where I help people culturally connect passionately and emotionally through art and storytelling and to allow you to connect with something bigger than yourself.
I specialize in Gourd Art, Native Bead Work and more. My art has helped many people connect to Native American culture, educating them on past and present life on a vibrant Southwest Indian reservation.
Through my art, I walk you through the Gila River Indian Community as I’ve known it as a child and now, in my adult years. I share a culture that is still alive and flourishing on and off the reservation.
My hope is that this gift passed on to me by my mother, grandmother, and ultimately our Creator will be cherished by generations to come.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My biggest struggle has been ME!!! I had allowed fear to keep me from my dreams. I thought as I started this new chapter in my life the fear I had most was “Who do I think I am doing this and what will people think or say”
Once I took the step of faith to just go for it a lot of those thoughts have not really mattered much. Actually, I have been so busy either teaching classes or filling commissioned orders I haven’t had time to care what others say or think.
My advice to any woman young or midlife woman would be “Go For It!!” Follow your heart. Do not let fear stop you. You’ll never know unless you step out what’s on the other side of your fear. Fear is nothing other than False-Evidence- Appearing- Real!!
I now look back and see how blessed I truly am and honored to represent my Native American Culture in a positive way.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with My Native Corner – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
What am I most proud of? When I first stepped out to open My Native Corner, I was really scared and then I started receiving messages from other Native men and women telling me what an amazing thing I’m doing. Giving hope to other Natives on and off the reservation as to what is possible.
What sets me apart is I am registered as an Authentic Certified Native American Artist through the U.S. Department of Indian Arts and Craft Board. This is a huge deal if you are a collector of Native American Art. Reason being a lot of people claim to sell “Authentic” Native Art and come to find out it isn’t.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I believe in this day in age opportunities are endless. As long as we have a dream in our heart and are willing to do the hard work, we can accomplish what we set out to do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 250 E. Grand Ave. Suite C
Escondido, CA 92025 - Phone: 760-532-9425
- Email: mynativecorner@gmail.com
- Instagram: @mynativecorner
Image Credit:
Cathy Ornelia
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