I had the most interesting discovery about a relative of mine. Her name is Dorothea Dunn, and she is my father's first cousin, so I guess she is my second cousin. I visited a beautiful and informational museum, the Hubbard Museum of the American West, in Ruidoso Downs. It has an emphasis on the Native American peoples of the west, plus other examples of western memorabilia.
As I rounded a corner,there was this photo and information about my cousin, Dorothea, at a young age. I had heard about her from my aunt, but did not know much about her. She came from Kansas, where my Dad's people are from, to teach art at the Santa Fe Indian School in the 1930's. I learned know she herself was an artist. I had always wondered where my artistic passion came from in my family. She helped such well known artists as Allen Hauser, and others, reach a wider audience. Dorothea wrote a definitive book on Native art, a big thick book that I have on my shelf , but have never read. When I look at the picture on the back cover, it is like looking at my father in female form. Travel brings us unexpected rewards, like connecting with ourselves, through those who came before us.
