Exclusive Spring Collection 2026
MASTER NAVAJO WEAVERS
Gloriacomes from a prolific line ofMasterWeavers.She says,“My work is dedicated to theancestors for making the sacrifice in preserving and
“My work is dedicated to the ancestors for making the sacrifice in preserving and teaching their offspring.”
Gloria Fain comes from a prolific line of Master Weavers.
Fain grew up near Ganado Mesa, in Snakeflat. Her family’s clan is Coyote Pass-Jemez Pueblo, and her passion for weaving started early when she was taught by her mother and grandmother to weave at 3 years old. Growing up, Fain watched her family sheering sheep, cleaning the fleece, carting, hand spinning and vegetable-dyeing wool.
“With such amazing roots, it is only necessary to continue my family legacy as I am armed with exceptional skills from two of the best instructors, mentors of the Navajo Nation.”
Gloria has developed her own unique style in her weavings which are still of Navajo patterns, but with a contemporary and sometimes abstract approach.
She learned her skills from her mother, Master Artist Grace Henderson Nez, born in 1913, a woman that worked relentless hours and years developing and perfecting her weaving craft. It is no wonder that Grace is the recipient of the 2005 National Endowment of the Arts Award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Heard Museum.
Gloria’s mother is Navajo Master Weaver Mary Henderson Begay. Mary is the recipient of the Living Legend Award 2018, Arizona Governors Award. Mary worked for over forty years at Hubbell Trading Post, National Historic Site in Ganado, Arizona. She retired in 2005. Mary was commissioned by the Gloria F. Ross Tapestries for several weavings designed by Kenneth Noland.
Explore our featured artist rugs
American Dakota splits the profits they make 50/50 with which each Native artist they partner with.
This partnership allows weavers who may live in remote areas to create streams of income. Knowing that we can support Indigenous artists through continuous passive income from an original design warms our hearts. Each rug design is made with care—commonly 6 months to weave—then reinterpreted with permission as a machine-made rug. Through our partnership, artists make income long after the original rug is sold.
With every purchase, you support generational heritage and artists.