Hopi-Tewa Reservation

Donna Navasie-Robertson, “Parrot Girl”, was born in 1972 into the Hopi-Tewa Reservation.

Donna was inspired to continue the family tradition of pottery making by her Mother, Marianne Navasie. She is also the grand daughter to Joy “Frogwoman” Navasie.

Marianne taught Donna all the fundamentals of pottery making the traditional Hopi way. Donna began experimenting with pottery at the age of 10 and by the time she was 16 years old she began taking her artistic abilities more serious. The lucrative aspect of the business also contributed to her becoming an artist.

Donna specializes in hand coiling the white slip Hopi pottery which her great grandmother is credited for originating. Donna gathers all of the materials used on her pottery from within the Hopi Reservation. She cleans the clay, mixes, hand coils, sands, paints, polishes, and fires her pottery outdoors, the traditional way with sheep dung.

All the colors that she uses on the pottery are extracted from minerals and plant life which are produced from Mother Earth and found within the Hopi Reservation. Donna makes a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

She strongly believes in continuing family traditions, not just because of what family she was born into, but because it’s a way of life for her people, and she is proud to be a part of it.

Donna signs her pottery as: Frog symbol with a tadpole and adds her initials “D.R.”

Donna is related to Paqua Naha (great grandmother) and the late Eunice “Fawn” Navasie (aunt).

Awards:
-Gallup Ceremonial 2nd Place
-1999 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place

Publications:
-Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery
-Hopi-Tewa Pottery 500 Artist Biographies
-Art of the Hopi