Grand Procession celebrates an exceptional collection of dolls, also known as soft sculptures, created by Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock), Rhonda Holy Bear (Cheyenne River Sioux/Lakota) and three generations of Growing Thunder family members: Joyce Growing Thunder, Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty and Jessa Rae Growing Thunder (Assiniboine/Sioux). The dolls provide a figurative reference to Indigenous peoples from the Great Plains and Great Basin regions who lived in those areas during the late 19th century. Holy Bear, Okuma and the three Growing Thunder family members embellish each doll with tiny microbeads in intricate detail. Each doll has impeccable details of clothing and accoutrements including beaded bags, knife sheaths as well as saddles. This outstanding collection of 23 dolls was recently donated to the Heard by Charles and Valerie Diker.
