Original Painting “The First Americans” [SOLD]

Pablita witnessed the changes imposed on her Native people by the Hispanic and White conquerors. The young ones were sent off to schools to learn the ways of the Europeans, and were forbidden to speak their native tongue, wear native clothing, or keep their long hair. She vowed to record scenes of everyday secular and religious life of her people and to record all her memories while they were fresh in her mind.

Perhaps this painting of The First Americans was inspired by her thoughts of the vanishing ways. It features, from left to right, a Navajo family, Pueblo ceremonial procession, an Apache family, and a Plains Indian encampment.

The painting, measuring approximately 2 by 6 feet, is an oil painting on board mural, painted in 1965, and donated to the New Mexico Council of American Indians for a fund-raising raffle, the proceeds to be applied toward the "Scholarship Fund for Indian Students."

The raffle took place on January 8, 1966, with raffle tickets costing $1 each. The winning ticket, Number 1537, is attached to the back of the painting. It remained in the original winner's family until now.

The painting is in the original excellent condition and still retains its original frame