Oral Histories

Interview of Bernie Granados

Artist and member of the Apache Nation with Zacatec heritage.
Series:
American Indian Studies M200A Student Interviews
Topic:
American Indian History
Biographical Note:
Artist and member of the Apache Nation with Zacatec heritage.
Interviewer:
Gray, Khadeejah Avvirin
Interviewee:
Granados, Bernie
Persons Present:
Granados and Gray.
Place Conducted:
Los Angeles, California.
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Center for Oral History Research.
Interviewer Background and Preparation:
The interview was conducted by Khadeejah Avvirin Gray; M.A., American Indian Studies, UCLA.Students from M200A prepared for the interviews by reviewing relevant materials pertaining to the guidelines of the Center for Oral History Research and the parameters of the course.
Processing of Interview:
The transcript is a verbatim transcription of the recording. It was transcribed by a professional transcribing agency using a list of proper names and specialized terminology supplied by the interviewer. Granados was then given an opportunity to review the transcript and corrections and additions. Those corrections were entered into the text without further editing or review on the part of the Center for Oral History Research staff.
Length:
2 hrs.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Audio:
Series Statement:
The interviews in the series American Indian Studies M200A Student Interviews were done by master's students in American Indians Studies M200A. Each student conducted a life history with one person of Native ancestry. The first year the class was offered, the interviews focused on the narrators' work histories. In the second year of the class, the students conducted a more general life history.
Granados’s background--Parents’ and grandparents’ background--His introduction to the medical field--First job as a paramedic--Joining the paramedics’ union--His high school interest in art instruction--the Indian Families Partnership and other nonprofit organizations--His plans to conduct art workshops for the local youth--His five-year involvement with the Indian Families Project--Volunteer work and retirement--Artistic aspirations in retirement--Teaching for the Native American Visiting Artist Program--Student participation, the Urban Indian Art Expo, and exhibiting at the Autry museum--His relationships with other Los Angeles-based Native artists-- Childhood isolation from other Native people--Forging stronger bonds with other Native Americans in adulthood--More on his own background and childhood--The mystery of his indigenous heritage in his childhood years--Growing up in the church--Missionary work--The link between Mexican and indigenous heritages--On passing down his Native American heritage to his daughter--The symbolism of horse and bison in his artwork--His “Spirit Horses” exhibition--On meeting his wife and his marriage--The responsibility of Native artists to their tribe--His film industry commissions--The value of the internet and digital media for Native artists--His work as lead artist for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing committee mural at the L.A. Coliseum--1990s and the second Los Angeles riots--The partial destruction of his mural by fire---His amiable break from the church and new directions in Native American advocacy.