About MAC

Montana Arts Council Members

Jackie Parsons

Eck Skim Aue Kee – woman of iron

Jackie Parsons is an enrolled Tribal member and lifelong resident of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She lives on a ranch near Starr School with her husband of over 50 years, Kenneth Parsons. Together they raised six children: Dale, David, Dalynn, Donnie, Deanne, and Denelle.

Jackie has had an impressive career. She has worked as a Tribal Secretary, Nutrition Technician, Home Economist Specialist, Prosecutor, Blackfeet Tribal Judge, Director of Northern Plains Indian Crafts Association, and Author. Although Jackie is "retired" (since 2001) she taught at the local Community College, pursues her art career, and is the Blackfeet Appellate Chief Justice. Jackie serves as the Chairman of the Montana Arts Council and has been a member of the arts council since 1994, serving under three governors of Montana.

Jackie's roots go deep into the arts. Art has been a continuum throughout Jackie's life. At the age of three, Jackie became an orphan and was raised until the age of ten by her grandmother who was a seamstress. While learning the rudiments of sewing, Jackie discovered her creativity. From that young age through the present day, Jackie has expressed herself through her art, working in a wide variety of mediums, including woodcarving, painting, beading, designing and writing. Since 2001 Jackie has also been mentoring six to ten students in the different art mediums for the annual art show at the Heard Museum of Phoenix, AZ. Her students are national award-winners every year, competing among over 1,300 students.

Jackie has been presented with many honors and awards throughout her career, including: The National Living Treasure Award; Best of Show at People's Art – Great Falls, MT 1996; the Governor Janklow Best of Show Award in 2002 and First Place in Traditional Arts in 2007 in Sioux Falls, SD; Second Place in contemporary beadwork at the Santa Fe art market, 2001; as well as numerous place showings at juried art competitions throughout the U.S. In spring of 2004, Jackie also had pieces traveling in the Native American art show in New Zealand and Beijing, China. She continues to compete in juried art exhibits and also juries art exhibits nationally.

Jackie was the co-curator for the "Dresses by Design: Dresses of the Northern Plains Indians" exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum for the American Indian in Washington, D.C., which opened in 2007 and will also tour to the New York City wing and abroad. She is featured in the Smithsonian's book on this exhibition as well. She was also the co-curator of the Blackfeet exhibit that opened in 2007 at the Smithsonian's Museum of the American Indian.

She is presently working on her second book and continuing her art career.

Term: 02/01/94 –02/01/13

Chairman of the Montana Arts Council: 2005-2013