National American Indian Month

Eleanor with Fetish bowl by her Aunt Edna Leki

A passion for art runs in Eleanor Lefthand’s family, and Eleanor shares that tradition with the community through her online business, A Gallery of Nations. Eleanor’s Weahkee family from Zuni Pueblo, NM has an established presence in the art circles of museums, art shows and collectors. It was Eleanor’s vision to take that tradition and share it on the World Wide Web.

A Gallery of Nations has been online at http://www.agalleryofnations.com/ since 2004. The online gallery has evolved and grown over the last three years, now encompassing more than just the family’s art. “I have expanded my knowledge of Native Art and the many forms of expression and mediums in which my fellow Indians present their art, which has enriched and deepened my commitment to exposing as many Native artists and their work to the online business,” writes Eleanor.

Fetish necklace by Lena Boone

Eleanor stresses that “the old saying: ‘If I can do it so can you’ applies” to e-commerce. She writes that she is no computer guru but still is figuring out what makes an online store, no doubt aided by her love of learning new things. One such new thing is looking into producing video demonstrations of artists and their work—specifically to inspire Native youth.

Through A Gallery of Nations, Eleanor is not only learning but also growing her business. “As I continue to build my business I am seeing the benefits of sharing my experiences with other Indians, who may also want to venture into an online store. Economic Development is the latest buzz word in Indian Country; I want to be a contributing part of that growth.” If you are Native American or a Native American organization and interested in venturing into e-commerce, Eleanor is available for consulting.

When asked what was most special about A Gallery of Nations, Eleanor replied that it was “the connections with the family, artists and to meet artists from all different Tribes… hearing their stories and seeing the many forms of artwork being done today.”

Eleanor has learned, accomplished and shared much with the community through A Gallery of Nations. However, she writes that it would not have happened without “help from family and friends encouraging, adding new ideas, what ifs, try this and editing.” Through this process, A Gallery of Nations is not just about art and e-commerce, it is “a community that can be shared.”

You can contact Eleanor Lefthand at info@agalleryofnations.com


Indianpreneurship®: A Native American Journey into Business

reprinted from Onaben.org