“Through the Eyes of an Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children” opens with a community reception on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. This free, public event features traditional Native foods, family-friendly activities and local Native American storytellers, presented in collaboration with United Indian Health Services (UIHS)–Community Services Division. The traveling art exhibit, organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Division of Diabetes Translation, Native Diabetes Wellness Program, and Global Health Odyssey Museum will remain on display through March 20.
“This is the first time this traveling exhibit has made its way to California and we are excited that Humboldt State University’s Native gallery has chosen to host the exhibit,” said Louise Shaw, Curator at the CDC’s Global Health Odyssey Museum. The Eagle Series books, written by Georgia Perez, teach children about healthy lifestyle and eating choices. The books include traditional storytelling techniques with help from characters such as Mr. Eagle, Miss Rabbit, and Coyote. These characters share lessons, through vibrant watercolor images and words, on the importance of physical activity, healthy eating, and healthy decision making.
Dr. Anne Albright, CDC’s director of the Division of Diabetes Translation noted, “The Eagle Books have been well-received in the Indian Country and this partnership with the National Museum of the American Indian allows us to expand the reach of these critical health messages.” Original artwork from the Eagle Books has been displayed at museums and galleries across the United States since 2006. The illustrations were first exhibited at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and then traveled to Smithsonian Institution Museums; the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC and the George Gustav Heye Center in New York. Humboldt is the last stop on the tour and after leaving the Goudi’ni Gallery the exhibit will return to Atlanta, GA.
The Goudi’ni Gallery is situated on the ground floor of the Humboldt State University Behavioral & Social Sciences building located near Union St. and 17th St. in Arcata. The gallery is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between the hours of 12-5 p.m., Thursday 12-7 p.m., Friday 12-5 p.m., and Saturday 10-2 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please contact the gallery office at (707) 826-5814.