Ardina Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ardina Moore
|
|
|---|---|
| Mashrugheta | |
Rattlesnake ribbonwork design
on skirt by Ardina Moore, 1995 |
|
| Born |
Ardina Revard
December 1, 1930 Belton, Texas, U.S.
|
| Died | April 19, 2022 (aged 91) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
|
| Nationality | Quapaw Nation, Osage Nation, American |
| Alma mater | Northeastern State University |
| Occupation | artist, Native American clothing designer |
| Known for | Quapaw speaker, textile artist |
|
Notable work
|
Quapaw language preservation |
Ardina Moore (born December 1, 1930, died April 19, 2022) was a talented Quapaw and Osage Native American artist. She was from Miami, Oklahoma.
Ardina spoke the Quapaw language fluently. She worked hard to save her language by creating a special program and teaching it to younger people in her tribe.
She was also a skilled fashion designer, making beautiful traditional clothing. Ardina even started her own business called Buffalo Sun. She won many awards for her designs and held important roles in the Quapaw Tribe. She was even honored in the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.
Contents
Ardina Moore's Early Life
Ardina Revard was born on December 1, 1930. Her birthplace was Belton, Texas.
Her father was James Osage "Jimmie" Revard. He started a band called the Oklahoma Playboys. Ardina's mother was Martha Dora Griffin. She was from the Quapaw tribe. Sadly, Ardina's mother passed away when Ardina was about seven years old.
Ardina's grandparents were Minnie and Chief Victor Griffin. Chief Griffin was the last Quapaw chief before the tribe formed a business committee. Ardina grew up on her grandfather's farm in northeastern Oklahoma. She learned to speak both English and Quapaw there. After high school, Ardina went to Northeastern State University. She graduated in 1957.
Teaching Career
Ardina Moore started her career as a teacher. First, she taught health and physical education in high school. Later, she taught American Indian history and genealogy. She taught these subjects at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) in Miami, Oklahoma.
Between 1967 and 1978, Ardina lived in Montana. When she returned to Oklahoma, she realized something important. The Quapaw language was in danger of being lost. She joined a program at NEO. Ardina began teaching evening classes to help save the Quapaw language. She created her own workbooks and tapes. This was because there were no dictionaries or textbooks for the language.
Artistic Work and Fashion
Ardina Moore had been making Native American clothes for her daughters. They wore these clothes to powwows and other tribal events. In 1983, she started selling her designs. Her company, Buffalo Sun, was in Miami, Oklahoma. This is where Ardina lived and designed the clothing.
She also cut patterns for other Native women. These women would sew the clothes from their homes. Buffalo Sun made both inner and outer wear. They also created accessories. Some designs were simple, while others had detailed beadwork and ribbonwork. Ardina traveled with her fashions. She showed them in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri. She also went to fashion shows in Pennsylvania and Los Angeles.
Saving Language and Culture
Ardina's evening classes grew into a larger program. This program helps save the Quapaw language. It includes two series of classes. These classes last eight weeks and happen every year. They are held at the Quapaw Tribal Museum.
The tribe also has a Youth Language Camp each year. They hold conferences with the Dhegiha Language Conference. These events help preserve and teach the Quapaw language. They also help with related languages like Osage and Omaha.
Besides her language efforts, Ardina helped her tribe in many ways. She was the secretary and treasurer for the tribe's powwow committee. She was also the tribal historian. Ardina chaired the tribe's Cultural Committee. She was also an elected member of the Tribal Business Committee.
Awards and Special Honors
Ardina Moore earned many awards and honors. She won first place twice at the Santa Fe Indian Market fashion show. She also won best in her division at the Eiteljorg Museum's Indian Market. This market is held in Indianapolis.
In 2003, the Heard Museum in Phoenix honored her. The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority featured her in a special show in 2006. In 2011, Ardina was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor.
Death
Ardina Moore passed away on April 19, 2022. She was 91 years old. She died in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Images for kids
-
Rattlesnake ribbonwork design on skirt by Ardina Moore, 1995
