The spirit of the turtle is very important in the life and art work of Carly Bordeau, who calls herself Carly Urbanskin. Those who have come to know her, however, call her Turtle Woman.

An exhibition of recent works by Bordeau was recently selected for the 33rd annual Symposium on the American Indian at Iowa State. Bordeau’s exhibit is on display in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union.

“Symposium is the oldest American Indian event on campus,” says Jill Wagner, assistant professor of anthropology, who helped get the exhibit to Iowa State. “I actually own a few [pieces] of Carly’s work, just because I have always liked it.”

Bordeau’s “They Call Me Turtle Woman” was selected by the committee to be this year’s art exhibit.

Bordeau is a descendant of the Anishinabe people of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, who were confined to the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota.

“I am the last born and sole survivor of a family that has been blessed with many artistic talents and cursed with unspeakable misfortunes,” Bordeau says.

Bordeau says she draws inspiration from her family and upbringing.

“I have written a book, and my artwork is based on my book,” Bordeau says. “The stories serve to soften my pain and provide a legacy of hope to the little one that I will someday leave behind.”

Letitia Kenemer, program adviser for the Pioneer Room, helps the Symposium Committee get the artist of its choice to come and display artwork.

“The Symposium Committee picks the artist, a Native American artist, each year and schedules them, and I do the hanging of the show,” Kenemer says. “All of [Bordeau’s] work is very symbolic and meaningful to the Native American culture.”

The artwork on display includes large turtles that contain Native American symbolism on them, paintings that are put together using strips of painted canvas and some pieces on black matte board.

“I don’t know a lot about Native American culture, so it is interesting to me to see this exhibit every year,” Kenemer says. “I think I have a better understanding.”

The Native American artists have had a lot of influence on our culture, she says.

“It helps people see how much of their culture is in everyday life that we just overlook,” Kenemer says.

What: “They Call Me Turtle Woman” Carly Bordeau

Where: Pioneer Room, Memorial Union

When: Currently on exhibit

Cost: free