Empowering Native Voters Through Art
At yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective, we believe in the power of art to inspire change and amplify voices. We are proud to announce that we have received a Voter Education Fund grant, which has allowed us to commission three incredible posters created by Indigenous artists from the Pacific Northwest curated by Mikaela Shafer. These artworks will not only educate and raise awareness about Native voter issues but will also inspire Native voters to engage and take action.
Our Goal
In collaboration with the Voter Education Fund, our campaign focuses on Native voter education, addressing key issues that affect Indigenous communities and showcasing the profound impact of Native votes. Our goal is to educate, inspire, and inform without advocating for any specific candidate or cause. Each participating artist has been granted creative freedom to express their unique perspectives and passions about Native voting rights.
Why This Matters
The historical context of Native voter suppression has long undermined the political voice of Indigenous communities. By emphasizing the significance of Native votes in elections, we aim to elevate the representation and influence of Native Americans in decision-making processes. When barriers to political participation are eliminated, we pave the way for improvements in critical areas, including socio-economic status, self-determination, land rights, water rights, and access to healthcare. Increased political empowerment allows Native Americans to advocate for their rights and shape policies that positively impact their communities.
Resources
Native Vote Washington: Native Vote Washington was started in 2008 by a Native-led collaborative working to increase the political empowerment, education, and engagement of Native Peoples in Washington state.
Native Action Network: Native Action Network (NAN) is a nonprofit organized to promote Native women’s full representation, participation, and leadership in local, state, tribal, and national affairs. NAN achieves this by hosting intergenerational leadership forums, youth academies, 10-month Legacy of Leadership cohorts, leadership luncheons, nonprofit capacity building workshops, as well as other community development and civic participation activities. All of NAN’s programming and resources are intended to empower Native women of all ages.
King County Voter Education: Do you want to help citizens register to vote or teach others how elections work in King County? Learn who can vote, how to register to vote, and how voting works, and about King County Elections' outreach and education work around signatures and signature challenges .
View the Art
We’re excited to announce that the commissioned posters will also be printed and transformed into postcards for distribution through the Native Action Network. Additionally, we invite you to visit our space at yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective to view the posters in person during our open hours. If you would like a poster, please email us at info@yehawshow.com to receive one or to schedule a visit with us at 9674 51st Ave S.
Meet The Artists
Jack George
Jack George is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, with heritage from the Yakama, Colville, and Kainai peoples. He is a self-taught artist who has been drawing since he was able to pick up a pencil. Jack identifies as a creative entrepreneur, leveraging his skills in illustration, graphic design, photography, and filmmaking to explore a variety of artistic visions.
He expresses gratitude to yəhaw̓ for the opportunity to illustrate the role of Native voters, particularly as this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. The Act enabled Native Americans to vote in some states, although it took another 40 years for all states to comply. Jack encourages everyone to take action and make necessary changes in their communities.
Steph Littlebird
Steph Littlebird is an Indigenous artist, writer, curator, and a member of Oregon’s Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Her work combines traditional aesthetics with contemporary materials and subject matter to forge connections between our collective past and imminent future.
Littlebird received national recognition as curator of This IS Kalapuyan Land (2020), an exhibition at the Five Oaks Museum in Portland, which was featured by ArtNews and PBS NewsHour. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Kitana Connelly
Kitana is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Oregon. In her experience as an artist, she believes that creating means connecting with something greater than herself. Her co-creations are influenced by her connection to Spirit, her conversations with the land, and her ancestors.
She refers to this artistic practice as "Creating with Connection." Using ink, Kitana captures healing and energy movements, layering sculpt to add texture. Her works often emerge as colorful and impactful messages on wood, paper, or canvas.