Indigenous Creatives Roster

I am an Iháŋkthuŋwaŋ Dakȟóta artist, born and raised on the lands of the bəqəlšuɬ, spuyaləpabš, and dxʷsqʷaliʔabš, and I am the third generation of my family to reside here as guests on Coast Salish lands. My journey as an artist has always been intertwined with my identity and culture, and in many ways art has been my compass to navigate understanding who I am.

My practice spans various mediums, including beadwork, digital art, painting, regalia making, and sometimes carving and sculpture. Each medium offers a different way to explore my identity, but digital art has become central to my work in the past few years. Inspired by traditions of Plains ledger art, I blend contemporary and traditional elements digitally to convey the complexity and beauty of Indigenous life today. My influences include contemporary ledger artists John Isaiah Pepion, Holly Young, and Wakeah Jhane, whose works have guided me in my understanding of how to bring a modern voice to this historic art form.

My training as an artist has been both formal and informal, shaped by community teachings, personal exploration, and the guidance of mentors who have encouraged me to find my own path. I've been fortunate to learn from skilled artists within my community who have shared their knowledge and techniques, especially in the realms of regalia making and beadwork. Their teachings have taught me the value of patience, precision, and storytelling through art.

My career has been marked by a commitment to creating works that speak to the lived experiences of Indigenous people. I take specific care to convey messages in the body language of the figures I draw and select epherma and ledger backgrounds that have a meaningful connection to the subjects I depict, ensuring each piece is grounded in both history and the present.

I am passionate about using art to build bridges between past and present, tradition and innovation. Through my work, I strive to contribute to the ongoing narrative of Indigenous resilience and creativity, highlighting the beauty, strength, and wisdom that define our communities.

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Eatonville, WA