Telling Our Own Stories:
Afro-Indigenous Creatives

The story of Black Native and Black Indigenous folks is an old and ever evolving one - one older than the colonial countries that cover the western hemisphere. Our stories are rarely told - and all too often they are told by people that are not Black Native and Black Indigenous people. The purpose of this show is to create a space for Black Native and Black Indigenous voices from the western hemisphere to be heard and for us to be able to tell our own stories. Additionally, we hope that this show will help to spark conversations in our communities around anti-Blackness and anti-Nativeness - and what Black-Native solidarity looks like.

— Brit Reed, Curator

OUR INHERITANCE


 


Triumph - Mu Knowles - Learn More About the Artist

"Our ways have never been alternative, they are bound to our origin. Through our motion, movement and fluidity we remain afloat. Our genealogies are embedded in this essence. Flowing from the sacred waters of remembrance into the chalice of belief. An outpouring without measure, overflowing with an unwavering willingness to be free."

— Mu Knowles
 

Shemvchi likmvt I holitobli li When I adorn them I honor them - Miriam Zmiewski-Angelova - Learn More About the Artist

Turtle Island - Cleopatra Tatabele - Learn More About the Artist

My Ancestors Fought Like Hell - Brit Reed - Learn More About the Artist


Mixed Reflections - Kayla Banks - Learn More About the Artist

 
 

OUR STORIES


 

"My work aims to document the condition of me, the Black American and internet-connected niimíipuu, Nez Perce multi-disciplinary artist. Centuries from now, people will see my Black identity being expressed within nimíipuu art forms and motifs. Rather than placing a sleeping fawn in a meadow or an eagle with an American flag on a beaded purse like my ancestors, this purse showcases a Black woman celebrating many successes in the 2020's - Houston rapper, Megan Thee Stallion. Big Ole Freak is a representation of my journey. This is me telling my story. íinim titwáatit, my story."

— Kellen Trenal

Big Ole Freak - Kellen Trenal - Learn More About the Artist

 

Redboned High Yella Light Skinnded Indian Hair - Kelsey Van Ert and Kino Galbraith - Learn More About the Artist

Nature City - Shelby Ward - Learn More About the Artist

Lvste Cate Hokte - Amber Starks - Learn More About the Artist

Anianod - Deante Moore - Learn More About the Artist

 


Gold N Diamond - Kelsey Van Ert and Kino Galbraith - Learn More About the Artist

 
 

OUR COMMUNITY


 
 

This one is for the children
of two worlds married into one
For the children of
Africa and Turtle Island
Which might as as well be names
For the Earth Mothers
Right arm and her belly
From which spawned
the seed of humanity
for us all to sprint forth from
And enjoy
So, celebrate our diversities
While honoring the roots
of our first human mothers
Beautifully blending with
Aunties of ancient forests

— Dominique Daye Hunter

Seeds - Dominique Daye Hunter - Learn More About the Artist

 

Portrait of Daisy May Hayward - Paige Pettibon - Learn More About the Artist

Afro Native Kwanza - Bridgette Romero - Learn More About the Artist

Vincent Cuffee - Jeremy Dennis - Learn More About the Artist

Mother Earth - Keri Wilborn - Learn More About the Artist

 

OUR FUTURE


 

"These four portraits are an exercise I did with my kids. We took turns mark-making, talking, and laughing to build collective images full of information tied to kinship and story. Self-determination is the foundation and constant exploration of my studio practice. As an Indigenous woman, who is Black and Indian, I communicate my experiences within a larger history of intersectionality through materiality and gesture. My work always goes back to my Ancestors, communities, family, history, experiences, and to my children."

— Natalie Ball

Big Sister, Little Sister, Brother, Mom - Natalie Ball and Family -
Learn More About the Artists

 

Duality Returned - Black Tom - Learn More About the Artist

Medicine, This Is Healing, Dance - Paige Pettibon - Learn More About the Artist

Beginning in Tradition - Miriam Zmiewski-Angelova - Learn More About the Artist


Life After Quarantine Rag - D’Viek Washington - Learn More About the Artist

Protest Posters

Want to see more creative expressions from Black and Native creatives? In 2020, we collaborated with Afro-Indigenous artists to create a series of Black Lives Matter solidarity posters. They are free for non-commercial purposes so you can post, print, wheat paste, wallpaper, or share how you wish - please credit the artists when you can.

Click the images below to download poster files and learn more about the artists.

The online exhibitions Being a Good Ancestor and Telling Our Own Stories were curated by Brit Reed (Choctaw/Black) in 2020-2021, in collaboration with a community advisory panel, as part of yəhaw̓’s Covid-relief and Black Lives Matter solidarity programming. The artists featured are all ages, work in many materials, and are based in cities across the US. Exhibition design and data upload support has been provided by Bella and Belle Creative Consultants, as well as Michael Anderson and Moe'Neyah Holland of Teens in Tacoma.

yəhaw̓ encourages all Indigenous artists to post and share their own work in conjunction with the exhibitions through the following tags on social media: #afroindigenousstories #beingagoodancestor #yehawshow @yehawshow.