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Ernie Apodaca - Northwest Native Designs
Northwest Native Designs provides furniture and interior
design accessories to hotels, offices, casinos and
private residences.
We are a family owned company and are proud to offer you
the best quality available in craftsmanship and
materials.
Owner Ernie Apodaca is true native of the West. He is a
Blackfeet Indian from Browning, Montana, by way of
Seattle. "My background influences me on a daily basis,"
says Ernie, and it shows in his work.
Northwest Native Designs hand-builds original
upholstered furniture in their unique designs: oversized
chairs and couches, ottomans, pillows, and leather
throws.
In addition to leather, he employs loom-state chenilles,
Italian suedes, and ethnic woven fabrics. What makes
their work instantly recognizable is the addition of
hand-tooled leather, wood carvings that might resemble
totem poles, and hand-painted westerns scenes or Native
American designs.
"Each piece shares a story of the tribe's legends and
lore," says Ernie. A club chair bears northwestern
tribal designs, a wing chair is painted with a bald
eagle, or perhaps a medicine wheel with horses
representing the four directions. A love seat might be
embellished with a design centered around peace pipes.
"These pipes are used not just to end conflict,"
explains Ernie, "but to send prayers and offerings to
the Great Spirit in the smoke from the tobacco."
Ernie has 25 years in the upholstery business, but ...
Northwest Native Designs was the result of a tragic
fire. Recalls Ernie, "Inspiration came in the form of a
vision to share the beauty and meaning of Native
American history with others." This inspiration also
included the birth of "Miracle" the white buffalo in
August, 1994. White buffaloes are especially significant
spiritual events in plains culture
Ernie also realized that if successful he could provide
employment to Native Americans on the reservations while
encouraging the promulgation of various tribes' cultural
history.
His work has since expanded to include scenic paintings
and wildlife and hand-tooled leather; in addition to
reinterpreting the Native experience, they now pay
homage to the West itself.
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