Victor P Beck, Sr 1941-2022

Victor Paul Beck, Sr. renowned Diné silversmith, respected community leader, and beloved father passed away on February 18th, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. Raised in Pinon, Arizona, Victor was the council delegate for his hometown chapter of Piñon on the Navajo Reservation. He was instrumental in the bringing and building of Piñon high school and his family has since been a huge presence throughout the community. As an artist, Victor accumulated many prestigious awards. Beck was described as a master jeweler and an “Arizona Indian Living Treasure,” Beck will be remembered as one of the great Native American artists, dedicating almost 50 years to his craft and mastery of contemporary silversmith work. His late wife Eleanor Beck, who passed six years earlier in 2016, was also a silversmith and for much of their lives together they attended native art shows across the country while simultaneously raising their three children. Beloved by all who knew him, Victor will be laid to rest in his hometown of Piñon, Arizona later this week. Victor was 80 years old when he passed away. He is survived by his children, Kehazbaa, Nanibaa with her husband Andrew, Victor Jr, and his grandson, Nathan…

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Eleanor Beck 1959-2016

Eleanor (Taneeszahnii/ Tsédeeshgizhnii/Tohdích’i’nii/Kinyaa’áanii) was born in Keams Canyon, AZ but raised in nearby Piñon on the Navajo reservation. Her mother is a well-known weaver, excelling in “Chief Blankets” and “Two Grey Hills” designs. She grew up in a tight knit community, graduating from Chinlé High School in 1978. Shortly after graduating she met and married her husband, Victor Beck.

Eleanor Beck then attended Northern Arizona University (NAU) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. But it was in the 1980s when she began assisting her husband whose career and work started to excel at that time. After many years of practice and learning the mechanics and techniques of modern jewelry, she worked professionally as an artisan for five years. She continued to develop her own style and craft until her passing in 2016…

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Nanibaa Beck

Nanibaa spent most of her childhood assisting her parents’ with their jewelry work. After years helping her dad buff pieces and creating silver beads with her mother, she learned and gained insight to the craft. She started her own work with the creation of Indigenous Language necklaces in 2013, which led to her own jewelry business named NOTABOVE; it is her favorite mispronunciation of her name.

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