Visual Nation Spring 2022

We are proud to present our Spring 2022 digital art exhibition, featuring 34 works by tribal leaders from Haskell Indian Nations University! The artists responded to a variety of issues they feel passionate about, using materials ranging from glass beads to oil paints to Nike tennis shoes. Some practiced artistic rituals of healing and remembrance, while others wanted to document important people and objects. Still others just wanted to paint!

You hold in your hands the results of countless hours of hard work but also creative play. Everyone persevered through this unprecedented and confusing time, which makes this work even more remarkable.

This is just a sample of artwork HINU students created this semester.

For more, please visit our Instagram, @hinuarts.

Cover Image: Alliana Atencio, Untitled (detail), oil on canvas.

Taya Bobb Yerington Paiute Tribe “Untitled” Red pen, photograph of Mt. Rushmore Every summer since I was a kid my family and I went to South Dakota for Sundance, and every year we would stop at Mt. Rushmore. As I got older, I started to learn the truth about that place, and eventually I didn’t want anything to do with it. I don’t like the fact that my family had taken me there for so many years, and we don't visit there anymore. I see the faces as a joke, so I drew on them with a red pen to deface them. I was inspired by Wendy Red Star’s piece “Pretty Eagle” and a little bit of Marcel Duchamp’s “L.H.O.O.Q.” (when he drew on a Mona Lisa postcard).

Rainer Brady Navajo Waterbird Colored pencil, paper plate I wanted to decorate a plate, like my mentor, Diego Romero, who draws a lot of images from his culture onto plates. So I drew a stylized waterbird from the Native American Church. It's also called the peyote bird. I don't totally understand the meanings behind the colors and design; it can mean a lot of different things.

Danae Etcitty Navajo Growing Pains Mixed Media My journey at Haskell Indian Nations University has had many ups and downs, and so far I have learned that that’s how the rest of your life will be, but you have to grow and adapt. Reading some of the stories in Braiding Sweetgrass, especially the chapter on strawberries, has given me comfort and clarity. I chose to honor the book and to tell a little bit of this story with my own art. The different phases of the strawberries represent the growth that I see in myself and the ways that I can continue to grow.

Marlissa Jordan PBPN Untitled Digital Art Many people enjoy going to Native American casinos but don’t know the troubles Native American women/girls go through. In fact, there are many casinos near areas where Native women go missing. I imagine that adding a slot machine like this would bring more awareness to that location and could possibly save more lives. We have to protect each other and inform more people.

Emaree Jane LeBeau Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe "Dreams" Acrylic on paper I aimed for something I saw in one of my dreams: a figure that fears lightning; a Heyoka being. In this painting, I captured the wakinyans (lightning) in purple clouds as I saw in my dream. To my Lakota people, the wakinyans are very sacred.

Sylvester Luther Wichita and Kiowa American Horror Oil on canvas The title is a reference to "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, and the painting style is a reference to T.C. Cannon. I like the way Cannon is able to tell an important story in a cartoon-like way.

Katelyn Beaudreau Sisitunwan Wahpetunwan Oyate Untitled White shoes, red paint, red cloth Indian Residential Schools were established to remove children and spiritual influences. I want to shed more light onto residential schools and the violence they inflicted on innocent children, so I designed a special shoe.

My inspiration was Rebecca Belmore and her piece Blood On The Snow that features an all-white room and a white chair with a single red line on its back. I wanted to use the same concept but with a different traumatic event that our people still have to live with today.

Alliana Atencio Navajo Untitled Oil on canvas

Kaya Beck Navajo Running with Feelings Clay, paper, white paint

Shayla Lone Dog Northern Arapaho and Sicangu Lakota Beyeihi’ (Home) Acrylic on canvas I was inspired by artist Neal Ambrose-Smith's neon work, “Abstract In Your Home.”

Shawndiin McCray Navajo Basket Earrings Glass beads, leather, string I went with a traditional basket design with a mirror in the middle for my earrings. The basket is something most Navajos hold dear to themselves because of its uses in ceremonies and weddings. On the edges are some silver beads that represent how Navajos will usually put valuable items like jewelry into the basket to keep safe.

I used a mirror in the center of the basket so that onlookers would see themselves—the center of the basket is supposed to represent how the Navajos emerged into this world through reeds, so having that reflection is almost synonymous with how you got to where you are. With the beading process, I made sure to bead it clockwise as even though it's not the real deal it should still be held in the same regard as an actual basket.

Tego Warrington Menominee The Bloom of Life Oil on canvas These are different types of woodland flowers. I chose to paint them because I come from a woodland tribe in Wisconsin, and my father does a lot of artwork with similar flower designs, which motivated me to do my own.

Tyler Moore Cherokee Holistic Reconnection Shot put, running shoes, Xbox controller, Vault boy bobblehead, Cast Iron skillet, homemade Haskell mug, Lakota Necklace, framed photograph of Walter Duncan.

I arranged a collection of items, including the Haskell Arch, into a still life. I selected things that keep me both physically and mentally fit, but the arrangement is also meant to encourage viewers to come to their own conclusions.

I'm inspired by the ongoing dialogue with Edward Curtis and also by the "little totems of power" hubcap shields

by Marcus Amerman. In the center is a late 19th-century picture of Walter Duncan, my last full-blooded Native American ancestor. He's sitting on horseback in ranching clothes.

Ciahna Oatman Nez Perce Horse with Red Acrylic on canvas This is a portrait of my horse, Chee-Who, who is a Leopard Appaloosa. He has a strong build and has taken me on several trail rides and parades. I was inspired by Fritz Scholder’s painting “Horse With Spot,” because it gave me a feeling of being alone but also finding your way. The red blanket you see on his back is to acknowledge MMIW. Being a native woman or a women in general can be overwhelming, stressful, and can leave you feeling alone trying to navigate through life. But knowing that other individuals as well as artists go through some of the same things is a comfort.

Hannah Poorman Navajo The Road Home Photograph There are going to be times in your life where you feel displaced. Sometimes you may feel lost or losing sight of yourself. You always need to remember that your ancestors, your grandparents, your parents structured a road that will lead you home. That road will give you a sense of rejuvenation and a sense of relief. As Indigenous beings, sometimes we are constantly fighting the white man’s way, but the dirt and washboard roads will forever be there for us. You are home.

Warren Swan Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Untitled Photograph I choose this photo of my sisters’ beaded mortarboards because it means a lot to me in many ways. It’s not easy to get to graduation. You need confidence and determination. This picture inspires me because one day in the future I would like to be a graduate, and get my own beaded cap and diploma. It makes me so happy for my sisters because I know how hard they worked to get here.

Nizhoni McCray Navajo Untitled Oil on canvas

Michelle Sanders Navajo Turquoise Oil on canvas This is an image I have been wanting to paint for a while. My vision has always been clear, that what I wanted to emphasize in the painting was the turquoise color, and a guitar player wearing a big black hat. My family makes Navajo jewelry, and my uncle is a silversmith and all the ladies in my family always wear turquoise jewelry. Moreover, I love music, and my husband plays the guitar.

Eileen Sarracino Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico Planted Seed Blossoms Mixed media collage I planted this seed and watched it grow. With no instructions whatsoever, how was I supposed to care for this seed that was planted? I have watched it grow and I have watched it flourish. With a blink of an eye it grew, till it was ready to replant itself. With lots of love and care it took on the world with all its might and all its strength. I am so PROUD I planted this seed!

Julianne Stanley San Carlos Apache My Land, My Body Clay, feathers, paint, beads, mud This piece was first inspired by Rebecca Bellmore’s Mixed Blessing (2008) as she uses her art to speak on the political and social issues facing Indigenous people in American society. My Land, My Body speaks on the environmental abuse placed upon Native lands by non-Natives. Throughout history, Natives have persevered through the continuous destruction and exploitation of our lands leading up to this paused moment in time.

I wanted this piece, rather than to portray defeat, to instead give viewers a silent moment to feel the loss and heartbreak of lands stolen, lands destroyed.

Isiah Strom Quinault Indian Nation Untitled Nike Air Jordans, red fabric, leather, scissors, collaborative art performance, My sculpture pays tribute to all our missing and murdered Indigenous women. Fellow classmates and community members contributed their own unique piece of red fabric and leather to the sneaker to signify the remembrance of lives that were taken.

Genesis Talamasey Seminole/Muscogee Creek Live On Mixed media The markings on the side of the shark is my clan (bird). Most sharks live for a very, very long time and this assisted readymade reminds me of our culture/traditions. Our ancestors fought long and hard so we could be here today. Even though the years go by, our traditions are being passed down to the younger generations. A shark swims continuously or else it will sink. I think that’s how our culture/traditions are: if we don’t learn from our elders our culture will sink.

Aiyonna Tecumseh

Muscogee Creek/Sac and Fox

Between Two Tribes Colored pencil I was inspired by Wohaw's "Between Two Worlds," but I decided to put my own personal spin on it. My intention was to illustrate differences between my Mvskoke and Sauk tribes and how they are essentially who I am. This piece was also in remembrance of my late grandmother. She was someone who made me feel proud of where I come from and when she passed I began to feel disconnected from my culture. This drawing is representative of how I am trying to re-connect with my roots and feeling peace and comfort doing so.

Deanna Teller Navajo Acknowledge Acrylic Paint, Color pencil, Paint brushes Inspired by Edgar Heap of Birds, I listed things that Native Americans need to hear. In today's society it's hard to be yourself without being judged. I wanted this art work to be a positive message, that makes you feel better.

Acknowledging the little things to get you through the day helps. It's one positive message at a time.

Rilee McCurley Potawatomi Discovering the unknown Oil on canvas

Tierra Standing Soldier Thomas Oglala Lakota, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Kiickaapoa Focus Hoodie, bandannas, paint, fabric marker This piece was finished last minute in my room, which is part of the creative process to further emphasize the struggles youth go through with ADHD. My textile illustrates the letters ADHD surrounded by the demons that seem to come with the "disease." ADHD is often villainized in today's society. The figures around the letters symbolize all the ways I feel due to many distractions around me.

Kaiser Tsosie Navajo Self title Mixed Media This project is made to resemble a highway sign to show the importance of traditional titles. Tribes have been given names throughout history that have been disliked by the members of the tribe. The emphasis on the word "Nation" is important as it is commonly forgotten that reservations are sovereign nations.

Trina Tsinnie Navajo Spacing Out Oil on Canvas

Jaymalee Turning Heart Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Where I Come From Photograph I am from a reservation; the only place where I feel safe; the place where I can go no matter what. This is where my family comes from. This is home.

There are about six signs on my reservation when entering. This sign I see very often. It is south of the reservation, on highway 63 South. Most of the trees in the back are cottonwood.

Brendon Wallace Muscogee Nation Life as a movie Pencil, notebook, yellow crayon This drawing is about how my life plays out like a movie. The camera is watching my life as I progress in stages. Each stage has an intro, rising action, climax, falling actions, and resolutions. The little doodle guy represents me and is sitting on the Haskell stage. The other stages have question marks due to him not knowing what’s going to happen in the future.

Shenelle Widow Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Comfortability Mixed Media I took the outline of my reservation and used images that represent art and beauty to fill it in. This is the place I feel most comfortable because it is my homelands.

Alexis Whitehorn-Coris Three Affiliated Tribes Sisterhood Colored pencils, pen, acrylic paints, loose-leaf paper A friendship between two women, whether they are related by blood or not, is a beautiful thing. What is depicted in these drawings is a story between two girls who grew up with one another. The inspiration for this series came from Roxanne Swentzell’s piece “Sister Love,” and ledger art. The intimate moments that Swentzell captures in her pottery and sculptures touched and inspired me deeply.

George Rocha Apache Crown Dancer Totem Colored pencil, paper I made my tribe a Medicine Wheel Totem, after Doug Coffin’s totem on Haskell’s campus. The Crown dancer in the middle is one who prays for our land and keeps it safe. They are known as mountain spirits. The four colors behind the Crown Dancer represent the four directions and have other meanings: white stands for spiritual, yellow stands for mental, red stands for physical, and black stands for emotional. The four colors also represent our 4 seasons.

Sylvester Luther Wichita and Kiowa Untitled Oil on canvas

Casey Lovesness Chippewa Untitled Oil on canvas

Olivia Rodriguez Cheyenne and Arapaho Untitled Oil on canvas The imagery in my painting consists of two patterned backgrounds, a baby-like figure, and floating balloons of different colors. I found all of the images from art school brochures I received in 2019. I spent most of the painting process thinking about my past, future, and the growth I’ve experienced since graduating high school; this became a very therapeutic process and made me think of the art I want to make in the future.