- The late We'wha was an individual
who exemplified one of our core values as Zuni people
and that was compassion.
- The late We'wha was an extraordinary person
within Zuni history and culture that was very influential.
She was lhamana, definitely identified as a female,
but at times knew that she was a male.
- [Mallery] Our first ambassador to our tribe,
he was accepted for who he was, welcomed in Washington, DC.
Speaking on our behalf.
- She really helped get our voices heard as a tribe
and bridged the gap to people understand that
we are not just Native Americans, we're people.
And it all started from great individuals,
like the late We'wha.
(upbeat music)
The Zuni people are located in current day,
Zuni Pueblo on the North-West corner of New Mexico.
However, we've always called
who we are, in our language, as A:shiwi.
(speaking in foreign language)
Hello, my name is Curtis Quam
I am the Museum Technician and Cultural Educator
for the A:shiwi A:Wan Museum Heritage Center
in Zuni, New Mexico.
And I've been working with Google
for this interactive doodle, honoring the late We'wha.
The late We'wha was born a male in Zuni in 1849.
And in her lifetime identified as a female.
- You can call him, he, you can call him a her,
but in our language, there's the third gender,
which is called lhamana.
In Zuni, these individuals were highly regarded
because of their dual role in society.
Hi, my name is Mallery Quetawki, I am a Zuni artist
and I created the artwork
for the Google Doodle celebrating the late We'wha.
(upbeat music)
The concept for this doodle is,
not only learning about who We'wha was,
but to also put a light on the craft
that he was so well-known for.
Weaving was more of a male role in our society.
And then on the other hand, mostly women did pottery.
He did both.
- The late We'wha was very versatile
and what she wove, more often than not,
we see her weaving sash belts or for the ladies,
the Manta dresses that we call in our language,
(speaking in foreign language)
These textiles and designs are very important,
whether it be social or for ceremonial times.
- [Mallery] So, in the doodle, as you're playing the game
and weaving, you're being told a story
that weaves in and out of our history.
- These fibers, these strands can transcend
and be seen as metaphors of us being brought together.
- When I was asked to create these works of art,
for the doodles, I really had to think about
what I see around the community.
Something that we saw in We'wha's time,
but also we still see today.
Zuni's were known for these little folded breads,
and they can say, it's the ladies club,
when it's bread baking day.
And We'wha was definitely someone
who was participating in that.
As for the artwork, I wanted to try to go full on
with the color and get it on a canvas.
However, I had to step away from my normal process
and actually sketch out an idea,
throw it out there for the team.
That was a little challenging,
but once we got the ball rolling,
I created my sketches with chalk pastels
and then paint completely.
- When people see this doodle,
I hope they feel a connection to their ancestry,
not just the Zuni people,
but I think for native people in general.
Start a dialogue of who
and what is important within our lives.
- To hear the story of We'wha
and how revered he was in our tribe,
should give other tribes that sense of pride as well,
to go back and to bring about their old customs,
and remind the younger generation
to think about the ambassadors, the caregivers,
the mothers and fathers, individuals from the past
who exemplify the culture.
- I think this doodle is a beginning step of
how we can bridge these communication gaps
to be part of this continuing conversation about inclusion
and choosing someone as iconic as the late We'wha
is contributing to this bigger picture of
who we are as people.
(upbeat music)
- [Man] Premium beat.