Richard
Harris is 52 years old, a Mohawk Indian and member of the Six Nations
Confederacy of Indians. Richard’s home is abundantly decorated with not only
pictures of family but also artistic representations of his Native heritage. Richard
has a deep respect and interest in his native heritage and one of the ways that
this comes out is Richard’s love for creating native themed crafts and jewelry.
Close to two years ago Richard started his business, Lightnings Native Crafts
to bring his handmade items to others.
Richard
has quite the talent for taking everyday items such a beads, bits of leather,
jute and other natural materials and turning them into one of a kind wearable
works of art. He also hand-makes other traditional items such as dream catchers
that legends say ward off bad dreams and medicine wheels which are a
representation of the four forms of wellness according to native lore. Richard
uses the colors of the rainbow as well as special items that use colors
representing many of the local native tribes.
Richard
sells his crafts at Native and community events, online through his Etsy store,
at various native shops on local reservations and is proud to announce that his
creations are now available for sale at the Museum of Disability History’s
Museum Store.
The
Museum, located at 3826 Main St. in Buffalo tackles the history of disability in
the United States and beyond. How people with disabilities have been portrayed,
cared for and marginalized over the years. The heartbreaks and the
breakthroughs and perhaps what the future holds. A visit to the Museum of
Disability History will educate you to a piece of history you may not have been
privy to before and the Museum store is filled with wonderful items including
People Made items, created by the very people whom the museum strives to
highlight. Richard joins some great company with his hand crafted art.
Richard
loves to talk about his native heritage and would love to talk to you about his
Native art. Richard’s email is lightningscrafts@gmail.com