Delwyn Tawvaya, Hopi Silversmith. 2025

Delwyn Tawvaya, a Hopi silversmith from the Snow Clan of Soongöpavi Village, Second Mesa, carries forward the tradition of Hopi Overlay silverwork taught to him by his mentor, Gerald Lomaventema. Actively involved in Hopi ceremonial life, Delwyn balances farming, fatherhood, and silversmithing, creating jewelry that reflects Hopi symbols and spiritual meaning. He now mentors his apprentice, Justin Secakuku of the BearStrap Clan, ensuring the continuation of Hopi silversmithing traditions.

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In addition to silversmithing, Delwyn is also a farmer, and cultural leader. The Hopi people live on ancestral lands in North Central Arizona, where spirituality and harmony with nature are central to daily life. Jewelry, like farming and ceremony, is part of this balance, expressing Hopi beliefs and resilience.

Hopi silver jewelry has been practiced since before 1900, and it reflects the story of the tribe’s tradition and artistry. After World War II, Hopi veterans Fred Kabotie and Paul Saufkie founded the Hopi Silvercraft Co-op Guild to teach silversmithing, particularly the overlay technique that became the hallmark of Hopi jewelry. Organized under the G.I. Bill of Rights, the guild provided tools and materials, encouraging men to remain on the reservation, participate in ceremonies, and support their families. The guild was a lively place, with dozens of men working together, joking, and listening to traditional music while refining their skills.

Delwyn comes from a lineage of silversmiths in his clan, with knowledge passed down through family members and uncles. He began silversmithing in 2016 through an apprenticeship with his mentor, Gerald Lomaventema, who himself was taught by elders connected to the original Co-op Guild. Gerald used pottery to illustrate traditional Hopi geometric designs and figures, each carrying spiritual meaning, and he also taught Hopi language alongside silversmithing. Under Gerald’s guidance, Delwyn mastered the overlay technique and developed his own style, honoring tradition while exploring new approaches.

For the past eight years, Delwyn has worked continuously with silver, focusing on traditional Hopi overlay techniques while also experimenting with other methods. He has worked in museum settings that preserve the history of Hopi overlay silver, deepening his understanding of its cultural significance. His first completed piece was a squash blossom necklace, and since then he has continued to create jewelry that embodies Hopi symbols and beliefs.

As a member of the Flute, Katsina, and Snake Societies, Delwyn is actively involved in the Hopi ceremonial calendar. He sees his silversmithing as part of this larger cycle of life, a way to honor the Earth and express cultural identity. “The Hopi see their work as both a gift from and a part of the Earth,” he explains. “We respect the Earth as a being with its own spirit. This belief is embedded in our life and work, and Hopi silversmiths express a bit of themselves and their cultural beliefs in each piece.”

Delwyn will mentor his apprentice, Justin Secakuku, who comes from the BearStrap Clan of Shungopavi Village. Together, they continue the lineage of Hopi silversmithing, ensuring that the overlay technique and its spiritual meaning remain alive for future generations. 

Read more about the Qwa-Holo Hopi Silvercraft group.