Gene Dawahoya

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Gene is a member of the Bear-Strap Clan. Growing up in Phoenix, he made money delivering newspapers until his parents moved the family to the Hopi reservation. Reservation life didn’t present the same paper route opportunities, but Gene saw a lot of men carving katsina dolls for a living, so he gave it a try at 12 years old, and is still craving. He enjoys carving warriors and other traditional figures that are important to the Hopi culture, and remind him of his ancestors and a simpler way of life.