Al Qöyawayma

[3] Qöyawayma, the only child of Mayme and Alfred (originally Poliyumptewa), was raised in the San Fernando Valley and attended Van Nuys High School.

[2][8][9] "For the people of the mesas corn is sustenance, ceremonial object, prayer offering, symbol, and sentient being unto itself.

He uses a spiral coiling technique, and fires his pots at a "very high temperature" which "results in vitrification of the clay which creates a smooth and polished surface."

That pot, described as a "miniature Sikyatki-style seed jar with corn motif" is now in the collection of the National Museum of the American Indian.

[2] Qöyawayma received a Fulbright fellowship to assist the Maori people of New Zealand rebuild their tradition of ceramic pottery making.