I'm often asked the question, "What is a Kachina Doll?"

Kachinas are the spirit essence of everything in the real world. 

Centuries ago, Native American Indians began carving kachina dolls as teaching tools for the children, as well as gifts given in hope of future abundance and health. The elders came forth from the "Kiva" or ceremonial room where upon they communicated with the spirits. What the spirits taught the elders were then illustrated to others through the spirit kachina doll carvings. Kachina dolls, like the human Kachina Dancer, are visual representations of the invisible spirits that assit in the rigors of life. It bears a portion of the kachina spirit's power just as a child bears resemblance to its parents. For example, The Eagle Dancer: represents strength and power and is the ruler of the sky as well as the messenger to the heavens. It is the sacred and magnificent protector of all. The Crow Mother: She guides and protects all, watches over children as they play and sends prayers by carrying corn in her basket.  For centuries the Indians of the Southwest have danced beneath the heavens praying to the great spirits for rain and a bountiful harvest. These spirits are embodied by kachinas (ka chee`nas). There are more than 250 different kachinas, each with its own separate attributes, representing everything from animals to abstract concepts. The Hopi were the original kachina doll carvers, using a single piece of cottonwood root. The Navajo began carving in their own creative way, adding leather, feathers, beads and turquoise. The Navajo have a far more variety of dolls than the Hopi. Each Kachina doll has the name it represents as well as the carver's name on the bottom. There are Kachina spirits for every purpose.

Note: Authentic Kachina carvings (or dolls) will always be carved from Cottonwood root.

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 The Texas Intertribal Enrollment Agency, Inc. (T.I.N.E.A.) is an organization in Texas that is working on getting the state of Texas and the Nation to know who we are, as we ask for our heritage rights. We have been working with Texas Native American People for over five years, and now are going nationwide. Our goal is to assist Tribes, Clans, and Bands gain recognition of their Native heritage, to stop discrimination against the American Indians and to assist in education, health and agricultural issues. It is our belief that the majority of non-status Native American people want nothing but their rightful recognition from the United States government. If you are interested in joining us, please let me know and I will send you an application for enrollment. Please keep in mind; this is not an application for a state or federally recognized tribe.