Jackie Parsons, “Meek Skim Aue Kee”, was born and raised on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Orphaned at the age of three, Jackie spent the next seven years under the care of her grandmother, a self-taught seamstress who demonstrated the rudiments of sewing to Jackie at a young age. Upon her grandmother’s death, Jackie was raised by her aunt and uncle who, among other relatives, greatly influenced her creativity through their own artistic endeavors.
1n 1955, Jackie married a rancher named Ken Parsons and the couple bore six children; Dale, David, Donnie, Dalyn, Deanne, and Danelle. All six children are artists, and four are pursuing professional careers in the arts. Over the years Jackie has expressed herself through her art by working in several mediums, most notably quillwork, beadwork, and clothing design. She continues a tradition of collaboration with other Native American artists, including the Blackfeet beadworker Ladean Miller, in addition to her own children.
In 1996, Jackie was prompted to enter a competitive art show in Great Falls, Montana, and won Best of Show with her entry of a traditional woman’s saddle. Later on that same year, to her amazement, she was juried into the Northern Plains Tribal Arts Show in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “During my many years of creating art, I had never considered myself an artist, as all of my work had been commissioned orders,” Jackie explained. “I use materials that coincide with the period of the piece, to ensure authenticity. I do believe in preserving the past to ensure the future, and I choose to do this through my art.”
Jackie promoted arts and crafts in her region for 35 years as the Director of the Northern Plains Craft Association. Additionally, she was appointed by the Governor of Montana to serve on the Montana Arts Council. The only Native American woman ever appointed, Jackie is now serving her second four-year term. Curatorial experience includes two exhibitions for the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, D.C.; Dresses by Design in 2006, and Blackfeet in 2007. Presently, Jackie continues to create works of art, lecture on traditional culture, and is writing her second book, Teaching Art to Young People. Her art is in permanent collections in New Zealand and China, and is represented by various galleries across the United States.
|
 |
