In the Home Arts building at the Utah State Fair hangs an intricately crocheted tablecloth. The judges gave it the grand prize ribbon. Fair officials say it's one of the most amazing creations they've seen, but most amazing of all, they say, is the creator.
Golden Eagle is a 71-year-old blind American Indian. He's a quiet, modest man, declining to speak to reporters or be photographed alongside his prize-winning work. But those around him say he is an inspiration."He says he doesn't want any advertising for what he's done," his wife says. "He only entered so that the other people at the center (for the blind) would."
Golden Eagle, who was given a traditional American name by a judge when he entered the military service but prefers to be known by his Sioux title, spends time in a variety of classes at Salt Lake's Murray B. Allen Center for the Blind. His wife said he's never entered anything at the fair before, but when fair time came around this year, he decided to enter his crocheted work - including three other tablecloths which also received ribbons - to prove a point.
"He just wants people to realize that blind people aren't stupid," she said. "Too often people tell them they are or treat them like they are, and then they start to believe that they are."
But the North Salt Lake man, determined to make a difference after a lifetime of discrimination because of his race and his disability, found a way to teach his friends at the center that they could achieve anything they wanted. He crocheted.
He learned the skill during World War II as a form of rehabilitation for an injury that contributed to his blindness, his wife said.
Dr. Richard Bohman is an administrator at Murray B. Allen. He said Golden Eagle is eager, "fiercely independent" and "really goal-oriented," spending time with blind and visually impaired people of all ages, learning Braille and lifestyle skills.
The staff and teachers at the center, impressed by Golden Eagle's talent, encouraged him to compete, Bohman said, and they knew he'd take the challenge.
"He really wants to achieve," he said. "He's just a neat person - gets along super-well with everybody here. He's almost like a father to some of the younger people."
Bohman said Golden Eagle's "good calming influence" is a real blessing at the center, and he encourages others with his drive to succeed.
"We try to give people the absolute most independence that they want," he said. "And everyone here thinks it's neat that he can go out and win."