Native Max Magazine - The Annual Fashion Issue

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 1

2 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

LIST OF CONTENT

FEATURES

1.

Reborn & Rising: April Tucker The Phoenix–the mythological bird born from the ashes, rising to flame and returning to ash, only to be reborn again. This is the idea that Miss Northern Arizona USA April Tucker approached Loren Aragon of ACONAV with for a custom dress. What we learn is that this is not only representative of April’s own journey, but also the resiliency of Indigenous people, which inspired Loren to create a whole new collection.

(Photo by Will Kee)

2.

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai AKA Bear We catch up with actor–and style icon in the making–D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai.

3.

Welcome to our List of Content, everything that we have in every issue.

Lakota Style We’re loving the ribbon work, horse hair adornments, and intricate artwork on these Lakota-mnade designs that range from traditional to contemporary in this new editorial.

REGULARS

THE FASHION ISSUE

THE EDGE

September Silhouettes

06

Santa Fe Indian Market: Market Style

10

Deadly Designers: Dante Biss-Grayson and Dewayne Dale Jr.

26

Dakota Oyaté

28

From the Front Row: 2021 SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Show

32

Welcome to the Fashion Issue, featuring Miss Northern Arizona USA April Tucker on the cover. Also featured in the issue are designer Loren Aragon and the inspiration for his Rise of the Phoenix Collection, actor and style icon in the making D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai AKA Bear, and a fashion editorial featuring Lakota designs, along with more.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 5

THE EDGE

September Silhouettes Jamie Okuma’s newest Fall collection is so elegant and detailed, it needs no introduction.

PHOTOS: COURTESY

6 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 7

8 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Comforting layers in soft material donning her signature designs and prints. “Many new silhouettes,” is the only statement Jamie has for her newest Fall 2021 collection. The new collection drops on September 25, 2021, at 10 AM PST.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 9

Peshawn Bread (Comanche) / IG: @the.pbread

10 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

THE EDGE

Santa Fe Indian Market

Market Style The annual Santa Fe Indian Market is known for its prestigious art and diverse culture and the list of endless events and special occasions happening throughout the city. However, it’s also known as one of the most fashionable times throughout the year. Attendees of all ages and backgrounds put on their stylish ensembles, hoping to be the best dressed around.

We were so much in awe of the styles that we decided to document some of the nicest ‘fits of the market.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 11

Alyssa Willie (Choctaw/Seminole) / IG: @alyssandn

12 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Ty Fierce Metteba (Navajo) / IG: @tyy_fierce

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 13

Sheiyenne Baloo / Elisa Baloo (Navajo) / IG: @sheiyennebaloo

14 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Dr. Dolly Manson (Navajo)

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 15

Maddie Mayfire (Taos & Santa Ana Pueblo/Athabascan) / IG: @maddie_mayfire

16 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Nidaanis (Red Lake Ojibwe); Sareya (White Mountain Apache/Navajo) / IG: @sareyataylorr; Jaycie (Santa Clara Pueblo, Navajo/ Northern Ute) / IG: @jayciebegay_03; Rosalee (Crow) / IG: @rosaleefaith

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 17

Joaquin and Anjelica Gallegos (Jicarilla Apache/Santa Ana Pueblo) / IG: @joaquin_ray4 and @leaf.v

18 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Gabrielle (Ho-Chunk) / IG: @hajacexi; Raeshawn (HoChunk) / IG: @mrslavin; Katelyn (Ho-Chunk) / IG: @henubird

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 19

Chris Cote (Osage) / IG: @cmccote; Jordan Poorman Cocker (Kiowa) / IG: @jordanpoormancocker

20 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Camryn Growing Thunder (Dakota/Nakota/Kiowa/ Comanche) / IG: @ladyahhaitty

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 21

Randee Spruce (Seneca) / IG: @aweose; Jaycee Custer (Navajo) / IG: @jayboogz_23

22 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Ryan (Navajo) / IG:@ryanbreezy2

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 23

Naiomi Glasses (Navajo) / IG: @naiomiglasses

24 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Rebekah and Royce Jarvey (Chippewa, Cree & Blackfeet); IG: @rebekah.jarvey and @jarveyroyce

Kristen Gentry (Choctaw) / IG: @ kreativenative

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 25

Deadly Designers

Dewayne’s first launch, which is called M1.(Photos: courtesy)

THE EDGE Dewayne Dale Jr. / Founder of FIFTH Brand: Born in Shiprock, New Mexico, Dewayne Dale Jr. (Navajo) grew up playing sports all year round, which baseball provided him a path to play at the collegiate level. Dewayne received a Bachelor of Science, Masters in Athletic Training, and eventually another Bachelors of Science with a focus on Industrial Design. “I loved the science behind sports medicine and human performance,” says Dewayne. “But I also couldn’t deny the creative tendency of blending science with art.”

So, Dewayne changed careers and pursued design and creating a means of exploring his passions: footwear and product design.

Dewayne landed his first job after design school as an Innovation Designer for Keen Footwear Innovation Lab in Portland,

26 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

@brandfifth

Dante Biss-Grayson and Dewayne Dale Jr.–up and coming innovative designers that you need to watch out for.

Oregon. “I had the opportunity of working on future footwear concepts for Keen footwear and bag and accessories projects for Chrome Industries,” explains Dewayne. “My skill set allowed me to utilize most analog and digital tools to create in 2D and 3D.” Dewayne moved to different design and creative teams within the company, which allowed him to be a part of the creative processes of a product. Then, Dewayne became the lead designer of a new team that focused on creating future products aimed at attracting new and younger consumers.

As a creator and designer, Dewayne found himself resorting back to where he came from and his upbringing as a Navajo. “Being involved in the footwear and product industry for an outdoor company, I saw what was missing, but at the same time what elements never made it off the inspiration boards.”

Freelancing and collaborating with other teams allowed Dewayne to understand the missing cultural elements of strong products and stories. “I believe if you know where you come from, in other words, ‘knowing yourself,’ this is what makes you a strong designer,

creator, and storyteller.” He also saw many elements of Indigenous culture being used as inspiration elsewhere. “I found the reason why Indigenous cultures need to be more than an element on an inspiration board,” he explains.

“I want it to be a reality because I know there will be people that will understand naturally: culture in any form is not a design exercise.”

With this mission, Dewayne founded the FIFTH brand.

PHOTOS: COURTESY

1. PHOTO ONE Designer Dante wearing his signature tie

2. PHOTO TWO Actor Rodrigo Tactaquin modeling Dante’s ties

3. PHOTO THREE Model Maddie Sanders modeling Dante’s latest Fall 2021 collection in Santa Fe, NM.

@skyeaglecollection

Dante Biss-Grayson / Founder of Sky-Eagle Collection: Osage veteran Dante Biss-Grayson is an artist and fashion designer whose journey into art began at a very young age in Santa Fe, NM. Dante had taken many awards at SWAIA Indian Market before and had works featured in both private and museum collections.

After multiple tours overseas in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Italy, he returned home bearing traumatic scars and memories. Dante needed a release, so he opened his art and fashion studio where he paints, writes poetry, sculpts, creates art installations, and designs fashion.

Now, Dante is the owner and executive designer of Sky-Eagle Collection, which is on a mission to bring greater awareness to the MMIW+ issue and hopefully develop an action.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 27

For & By the Dakota Oyaté

Red Berry Woman is going from the runway to every day with the newest collection, Dakota Oyaté.

28 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 29

30 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

@redberrywoman

T

Photos: Erin LaMere-Rezolution Photos, LLC Make-up: Heavenly aesthetics, LLC Macey Stump Hair: Josy Holds The Enemy Models: Maria Vega, Jazmine Gorder, Mercedes Dion, Justiss Toavs, Philline Moran-Gorder and Talor Toavs

he Dakota Oyaté (which means nation) and her Dakota bloodlines inspire designer Norma Flying Horse’s newest collection, the Dakota Oyaté collection. “I’m the granddaughter of the late Beverly Walking Eagle, a member and fluent speaker of the Dakota Sioux people,” explains Norma. “The teaching she gave me on how to use my Dakota designs are what I apply to my Native fashions today.” It’s her talent and teachings Norma wants to honor with this collection. The collection is also presented by models who are all members of and reside on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana. This is Norma’s first readyto-wear collection, and although small, it has a significant meaning for her as a Native woman entrepreneur.

The ready-to-wear collection will be available on September 10, 2021, at 1:00 PM CST on www. redberrywoman.com.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 31

32 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

TIRA HOWARD FOR SWAIA

Kelly Holmes Writer

From the Front Row: 2021 SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Show Fashion shows are officially back for Indian Country, with SWAIA kicking off the season with the 2021 SWAIA Indigenous Fashion Show.

Taking place this time around were showcases by designers Orlando Dugi, Himikalas Pamela Baker, Lauren Good Day, and Jamie Okuma.

Each designer put their personal touches on their presentations while making strong statements with their newest pieces.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 33

34 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Orlando Dugi Navajo artist and designer Orlando Dugi is well known for his feminine, intricately embellished, beaded designs, which I enjoyed seeing up close on the runway. Orlando presented a collection of adorned gowns in collaborative palettes of both neutral and fiery colors.

@orlandodugi

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 35

Himikalas Pamela Baker Himikalas Pamela Baker (Kwaguilth/Squamish) opened up her showcase with a beautiful Kwakiutl Woman’s dance by Aysha.

Himikalas presented a diverse collection of dresses, tops, and floorlength dresses coats, all in her traditional art.

“I always give great thought when designing,” Himikalas tells Native Max. “Keeping in mind my ancestral lineage and sharing our family treasures.” Himikalas shares the eggplant and gold pieces are of her Leadership collection, designed with her Coast Salish artwork. “The killer whale represents leadership.”

36 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

@himikalas

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 37

38 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Lauren Good Day The color combinations and playful presentation of Lauren Good Day’s (Arikara/Hidatsa/Blackfeet/Plains Cree) showcase! Lauren’s collection featured a mixture of ready-to-wear and athletic wear accented with her artwork.

@laurengoodday

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 39

Jamie Okuma Jamie Okuma (Luiseno/Shoshone-Bannock/Wailakila/Okinawan/ La Jolla) wrapped up the fashion show as the finale. Her collection featured her signature designs but in refreshing styles fit for the colder weather (also perfect for settings that require a business casual dress code). As always, Jamie let her collection do all the talking.

40 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

@j.okuma

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 41

THE COVER

REBORN & RISING The Phoenix–the mythological bird born from the ashes, rising to flame and returning to ash, only to be reborn again. This is the idea that Miss Northern Arizona USA April Tucker approached Loren Aragon of ACONAV with for a custom dress. What we learn is that this is not only representative of April’s own journey, but also the resiliency of Indigenous people, which inspired Loren to create a whole new collection.

42 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

T

he Native Max team was in attendance at the SWAIA Gala Fashion Show, where we were mesmerized by ACONAV’s collection presentation. Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), the designer behind the couture brand, opened his showcase with a performance by Natalie Benally with a dance of her own choreography; the composition was provided by Ehren Kee Natay that brought this dance to life.

After seeing ACONAV’s newest looks take the runway, we noticed the final look of the showcase, which was worn by Miss Northern Arizona USA 2022 April Tucker; it was the dress she wore for her pageant. The dress was beautiful and resembled glittering embers and glowing flames. Loren and his team pushed the envelope with this collection, telling a story with each design (which ACONAV is known for). The performance of the opening, the look of the collection, and the finale by April piqued our interest in what inspired the whole showcase.

This is why we sat down with Loren and April to find out what prompted the creativity, inventiveness, and passion for this collection.

Photo by Will Kee

April Tucker (Navajo, Northern Cheyenne & Chiricahua Apache) wears many hats: besides her reign as Miss Northern Arizona USA 2021, she’s a model, motivational speaker, event coordinator, and college student. She’s not always in front of the camera, either. She’s also a budding photographer in family, modeling, and event photography. Regardless of whatever she takes on, April does everything with a kind soul like her grandmother. “With everything that I do, I always do it with humility, prayer, and kindness,” she says. “I just hope to be an inspiration to many and to become all that I can be for my community, my people, and my family.

For this world to be better, we must become better.”

April has been interested in doing pageants since she could walk. She remembers watching pageants on TV when she was a child and how powerful and graceful the women who took the stage were.

But she didn’t look at just their beauty or shiny dresses. “I loved how they not only got to be glamorous, but they also made beautiful changes in their communities, and the true beauty was seeing them helping people and simply being a light.” April dreamt of one day being that woman with light and giving back to her community as well. The lack of representation for Native people was another motivation for her. “Although I loved seeing so many beautiful ethnicities and backgrounds, I couldn’t help but realize there was a lack of Indige-

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 42

nous representation,” April explains.

“And I hope that not only do I get the chance to change that, but also to inspire others to simply break those glass ceilings and strive for more Indigenous representation in every field as well.”

April’s pageant journey started out

in your communities and dedicating yourself to different causes and organizations.”

With her platform as Miss Northern Arizona, April strives to speak about the issues we face in Native communities and do volunteer work by making the environment cleaner.

“Our resiliency to heal, to rise, and soar higher than ever before.” rough in the beginning. “I didn’t have anyone to teach me about pageantry nor show me the steps. And because I was new to pageantry, I was also told by another girl who did pageants who was from a different organization that I wasn’t good enough for it.” However, April didn’t accept the negative feedback and instead overcame their inability to see her potential. “I’ve always been one to push myself out of my comfort zones and just go after it with faith and determination, regardless of opinions; by not allowing others to determine my path, I was able to live out my dream.” It was the best decision of her life, according to April. She dedicated herself to learning about pageantry, did research, read inspiring stories about former titleholders, watched YouTube videos, practiced in her room, and more. All the preparation helped April rid herself of her shyness. “I also use to be super shy, to the point where I couldn’t even speak in a room full of people without getting super nervous,” she says. “I can’t believe I went from that to now speaking at multiple events!” April adds that she’s still learning and improving as she goes but is proud of the progress she made along the way. She also states that pageantry isn’t about the glitz and glamour people assume. “It seems pretty easy. However, by being on this pageant journey, I’ve come to learn a lot about myself. It truly takes hard work and heart to not only work on yourself but to also create change

“I’ve also volunteered during the COVID-19 shutdown to bring families essentials and Christmas presents during a time our world faced a devastating time.” The pandemic also delayed a lot of April’s events as Miss Northern Arizona. However, this year she’s striving to do more than what she originally planned. “I’m going to be working on more things in the upcoming weeks to not only bring awareness to Native issues but also to bring awareness to domestic violence and promote healthy relationships.

I hope to help and make changes in my Native communities and for all of Arizona as well. I strive to represent Arizona as a whole.”

April’s pageant dress was custom made by Native couture brand ACONAV, who released a new collection inspired by her. Loren Aragon, designer and co-founder of ACONAV, was April’s sponsor for her custom gown for the Miss Arizona USA pageant competition. “He had asked me to create a vision board to get an idea of the type of dress I wanted. So, I took the time to gather my ideas and truly think about the impact I wanted to have at the pageant.” April then decided she wanted every single piece of the dress to have a deeper meaning. She didn’t want just any sparkly gown; she felt the dress had to mean something that represented not only her Indigenous background but also represent her journey as well. “I wanted to bring awareness and spark important conversations

about these issues. So, that’s when I thought about a Phoenix bird rising from the ashes.” The metaphor behind the Phoenix bird spoke to her; it had two meanings. The first was that Indigenous people have risen to become everything the world said they couldn’t be. “We have doctors, lawyers, people in music and art, and fashion and so much more,” says April. “We are beginning to have more Indigenous representation and attention to the issues we face. It’s powerful to know that once before, our ancestors weren’t allowed to do or be what they wanted, but now we have that power to not only become all that we can be, but we can also break cycles and inspire the younger generations. We are indeed a Phoenix rising!”

The second meaning was the colors of the dress. “The red color of the dress is dedicated to the missing and murdered Indigenous people and kids,” April explained. “This was super important as well.” April understands that there is still so much work needed, but hoping that this dedication to the missing and murdered Native people would raise awareness of the issue and a way to remember them and their families. “I know that simply wearing the color red isn’t enough and that we must demand more change and answers for our people. We can’t ever get tired of speaking about these things. We must keep the conversation going until a change is made!” The orange color of the dress is dedicated to the victims, survivors, and families of the residential school system. “Hearing about the many children who were found at the residential schools truly shook me,” April says. “I couldn’t even imagine the pain that many of the children and their families had to go through, being ripped apart from their families and homes.” This dress was also a dedication to the many children who were found and their families. For April, it was a way of acknowledging them and lifting them in prayer. “It’s almost like with every step I took; I could almost

@aprilrosetucker

April Tucker April wearing a custom-made ACONAV dress for her pageant, which inspired a whole new collection. Photo by Will Kee

Loren’s showcase told the story of the Phoenix; his show opened with designs in black and silver, which resembled coals in black and red as highlights to the glowing embers. Following were ensembles in red and yellow, signifying the burst of flames from the ashes and the birth of the Phoenix. Thus, the finale was the dress that started it all in all its detail. (Photos by H|K Productions)

feel their spirits with me.”

From the moment she wore this dress on the stage, April realized her huge responsibilities as an Indigenous person. It was more than just a pageant for her. “It wasn’t just about winning the crown to me; this was simply a way of showing the world that we are still here,” she exclaims. “Every step that I took was in remembrance of every child who was found and every survivor; a way of fighting for our missing and murdered Indigenous people to be seen; and in remembrance of my ancestors before me like my grandparents, family, and community.”

The dress also featured embellishments of crystal teardrops on the right shoulder of the dress to symbolize the pain of finding the children of the residential schools and the tears Native people shed for missing and murdered Indigenous people and kids. “In the mythology of the Phoenix bird, it said that their tears held healing powers,” describes April. “So by us shedding these tears for our people and our Native communities, we in a way are also healing. We may have to take it day by day, but we are healing.” April adds that a Phoenix bird may sometimes have a broken wing or go through the fire, but it’s the strength of rising and healing, which the dress encompasses.

“Our resiliency to heal, to rise, and soar higher than ever before.”

For April, fashion is a way of being true to herself and having the freedom to express herself in different styles.

“Not one style is the right style,” she says. “Everyone has a different style, and that’s okay. I believe as long as you love it, and it makes you feel amazing, then wear it!” When she was younger, April was bullied because she didn’t have the clothing that “cool” kids wore, which led her to struggle with self-confidence and insecurities. “As I grew older, I realized that I’m perfect just the way I am. I took my power back by simply staying true to myself.” April continued wearing what she wanted without being ashamed. “I strived just to be who I am without feeling the need to change myself to fit into society’s definition of beauty,” she explains. “I believe that confidence is the best outfit you can wear, and kindness is the best accessory you can put on. We tend to get lost in what’s trending nowadays that we forget the real beauty that shines within.”

In conclusion, April reminds everyone to keep shining their light no matter what. “Spread kindness in this dark world; everyone is going through something, so strive to be kind,” says April. “Let’s do our best to live each day with good intentions.”

In the words of Loren Aragon: The inspiration behind the collection launched at the SWAIA Gala Fashion Show stems from a dress I designed for Miss Northern Arizona, April Tucker.

April reached out to me when she had committed to running for Miss Arizona USA and wanted me to capture several ideas in this dress that spoke of her personal story and to current Indigenous affairs. As most of us know, the Phoenix is a mythological creature with a never-ending cycle of life born from the ashes, rising to flame and returning to ash, only to be reborn again. April is our Phoenix; it’s what she relates to in her personal journey, which drew some deep inspiration even within myself.

The fire and the Phoenix are one: fire is truth, we rise, we fall, we get up again.

It may be a far separation from any

traditional beliefs, but the legend is fitting to the story, and I’m too much of a geek to let this chance to tell a story like this go. In addition to the representation of fire, the color red in the dress acknowledges the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women movement. The sequin work, along with some Swarovski crystals, represents the tears of the Phoenix, thought to possess healing powers; this is a tribute to the lives lost and souls recovered at Indigenous boarding schools.

“April is our Phoenix; it’s what she relates to in her personal journey...”

All my collections have a story to follow on the runway, and this one was no different. This collection needed a strong introduction. My observations fell on a dancer whose style had captured my eye on social media and one who has been a part of an opening act in a past runway showcase. Natalie Benally took the role of our dancing Phoenix. She performed to an original mix by the musical talents of Ehren Kee Natay, whose work has also been featured in previous productions. I was impressed with the creative collaboration that resulted in this pairing even under the time restraints I presented to both. This collection became something special in that it was worked in parallel with a whole other collection also presented during SFIM weekend. My show opened with pieces resembling coals in black and red as highlights to the glowing embers. The pieces build with the hues of gray changing, representing the coals with a layer of ash and then the burst of flame and the birth of the Phoenix. Each design is representative of the transition in the cycle of the life of the mythological bird. We end with the dress that started it all in all its detail.

I’m one for a challenge; however,

1. PHOTO ONE Loren Aragon of ACONAV taking the runway at the end of his presentation. (Photo: Will Kee)

2. PHOTO TWO An all-red look of ACONAV’s Rise of the Phoenix Collection from the SWAIA Gala Fashion Show runway.

(Photos: Will Kee)

3. PHOTO THREE Another look of ACONAV’s Rise of the Phoenix Collection from the SWAIA Gala Fashion Show runway.

(Photo: Will Kee)

I didn’t realize the challenges faced with capturing the ideas of fire. Fire is random, and the flame is shapeless; a challenge indeed for someone who is all about hard edges and solid lines, but I thought about it in this way: I myself hate being restricted as much as fire does. Some days you just have to allow the fabric to have its own way with you.

It was great to see the strength the collection instilled in our models as they walked the runway. It was genuinely great to see how much my work can inspire the wearer. Ultimately, we hope the story is shared for others to understand the meaning behind this one-of-akind collection.

@aconav 48 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Q&A

D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai AKA Bear We catch up with actor–and style icon in the making– D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. PHOTO BY JEFF VESPA

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 49

E

merging Indigenous actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai’s acting chops and humor were displayed for all to see in ‘Reservation Dogs.’ He’s now featured in numerous articles and stories throughout the web as a rising star to watch. If you know anything about D’Pharaoh, you know he’s not just a young actor sitting comfortably; but he’s a super down-to-earth guy, friendly, and very candid. He also actively utilizes his newfound platform and supports Native artists, fashion designers, and business owners on another level. Recently, he wore beaded medallions and different Native-made designs to premieres, events, and photoshoots, ensuring that his stylist builds outfits around Indigenous pieces, not the other way around.

We go in-depth with D’Pharaoh about his style, including how he incorporates Native fashion and art into his outfits, how he relates to his character Bear, his experience working on ‘Reservation Dogs’, and much more.

Native Max: Tell us your tribe and where you were from.

D’Pharaoh: I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My tribe is OjiCree and Anishinabe from Northwestern, Ontario, Big Trout Lake reservation, also known as Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. Or KI for short.

Share with our readers a bit of yourself.

D’Pharaoh: I describe myself as a Turtle Island resident. If you look at my character Bear, I would say that’s very similar to who I am personally.

How do you relate to your character Bear?

D’Pharaoh: In a sense, a lot of reasons.

It wasn’t that hard for me to get into the character for Bear. He gives a sh*t about his family and his friends. This idea that they all came up with didn’t even come up with that together. This idea that was given to them that they were trying to work towards, I can understand that as well. The idea of wanting to find another 50 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

place and run away in a sense that may fix your problems was very much like what I was thinking, my mindset. They want to go because they’re from rural Oklahoma, and it’s an exciting location, but they want to go to California, which is like their salvation. Again, the same thing with me.

I’m from Toronto, born and raised, and that’s the biggest city in Canada, and I feel like I’m always searching for something new and better, and that’s what I can relate to them. A lot of other smaller things, too, as well. I can relate to Bear in many ways; I like to think I’m kind, too.

How do you incorporate Native fashion and pieces into your style?

How does this allow you to work with Indigenous artists and designers?

D’Pharaoh: Yes. For example, with that photoshoot [for ‘Reservation Dogs’ press tour], it was amazing to work with Avo [Yermagyan]; he was very much the best stylist to work with. We did a lot of bouncing ideas back and forth. From the beginning, he was always interested in adapting Indigenous medallions into the look. As established and as big as he is, he really hasn’t got the chance to deal with Indigenous actors or talents on a scale like this with a show like this. I can also see in his eyes the creativity coming from him when I’m showing him my artwork, my pieces, and all of the pieces I wore, medallion-wise are all very special to me.

They were not just bought from a random shop or a random beader; it was very much stuff brought with me. For example, the mukluks; there’s a photo of me wearing my grandfather’s mukluks that were made on my reservation. He only wore them once, and they’re probably like 60 years old or 50 years old, and they fit perfectly, which is pretty awesome.

Also, the greenish medallion that I wore with that greenish outfit, that one was gifted to me right after we filmed the pilot

by Sterlin Harjo. That was made by Rainy [Dawn Ortiz]. I respect her a lot for doing that. Another one is the bear medallion made by Paulina Alexis’s cousin. Actually, her family members made all of the castmates their own medallion with their character’s name on it.

So with the medallions, for example, with the green medallion, we worked around that with the outfit. So we didn’t pick the outfit and then picked the medallion. I came with all of the medallions I wanted to work with, and we tried so many different outfits for them. And it was just amazing. Avo’s such a creative guy that he just knew what was right then and there, so we didn’t have to go through thousands of different outfits; he just knew. I’m so lucky I got to work with him.

I knew that in any of the photoshoots where I could express my Indigenous roots, I’ve always wanted to set up with more personal stuff rather than just anything, if that makes sense. It was also amazing to work with EMME Studios. I would love to wear that on a daily basis and adapt Indigenous artists to my regular wear. I look for Indigenous companies that I’d like to support. For example, another one that’s part of Paulina’s reservation who I want to support is this company called Tribe Life Originalz. They have a lot of these Turtle Island sweaters, like Turtle Island University. It’s really cool.

Are there any other favorite Indigenous designers or artists you like to support?

D’Pharaoh: Oh, yeah. I like Eighth Generation. It’s a very cool company. I’ve given gifts to a lot of my crew members from them. So I just want to put their name out there too. It’s really cool how they collab with all different types of Indigenous creatives.

Explain your experience briefly so far in being a part of ‘Reservation Dogs’ and now after it premiered.

D’Pharaoh: Very good question. I knew from the beginning that this was going to be a very different experience. It was better than perfect. I never once regretted being on set during ‘Reservation Dogs’. A lot of stuff I got to work on was different for many of us. I never had to work in a production this big before. I never had to work in a production where I was the lead before, or I never had to travel outside of Canada for.

So there were a lot of new things for

me when I was first going into it. My first time ever going down to Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is kind of seen as the capital Native place of the world or Turtle Island, to say at least, so it was very interesting to see their traditions down there and the similarities. I mean, they experienced what we talk about on set every single day; I was excited to see what we could do next. What we would have on the script would always change.

A lot of people improvised, like, Kenny Boy or Kurt Fox. I’d be watching the scenes, and he’d probably, go on like a 10-minute improv scene. You could see the directors in the chairs laughing their a**es off the whole time, trying not to break the scene. And the same thing with Paulina. The first time we did our table read, the day later, the script changed to more of who I’m like, who Devery Jacobs is like, a lot of it really changed to more who Lane Factor was like for Cheese.

You got to work with Paulina before. What was it like working with her again?

D’Pharaoh: I see Paulina like my sister because I got to work with her on a past project before, like right before this the year prior. So we, we were like hanging out every single day, I have to say. She was cool as hell; it helped build our chemistry.

What was it like working with the people on ‘Reservation Dogs’?

How was it on set?

D’Pharaoh: I got to meet many locals on my little journey and spend quality time and getting to know a lot of my crew and castmates, which in return, I feel you could see the results on the screen. My experience on set was amazing. There are always jokes. That’s what I expected every single day on set. I used to go and show up to set without even needing to work. In the fifth to sixth and seventh episodes, you’ll see that they’re episodes dedicated to specific characters. So a lot of the main characters are not in it, for example, but every single time they would be filming, I would always go to set because of the people’s energies.

I really want to put up the fact that because Sterlin picked the right people, many of them were locals who never even had a gig before, and this was the first time doing many things. It was cool for that being their first time because I’m watching them learn as well. I felt more professionalism with people who were local, who were Indigenous to the set.

Not every person was Indigenous, no, but every area of every department in that show had Indigenous influence.

That was another way that I got to learn more traditions from where they’re at. I was talking to the crew members who are local, who were born and raised in Oklahoma. It was an amazing time.

We shot that first episode, the pilot, in five days, and I always say this: we built a family within that five days, even though it felt like it had been one month.

Catch D’Pharaoh on ‘‘Reservation Dogs’’, streaming exclusively with FX on Hulu.

@dpharaohwoonatai

D’Pharaoh pictured here with his grandfather’s mukluks.

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 51

Lakota Style We’re loving the ribbon work, horse hair adornments, and intricate artwork on these Lakota-made designs that range from traditional to contemporary in this new editorial.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY HOLMES SHOT ON LOCATION AT TUSWECA GALLERY

52 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Designs: Ohopa by Darla Takes the Knife (Lakota)

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 53

Designs: Ohopa by Darla Takes the Knife (Lakota)

54 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Designs: Anpo Iyokpi Win (Lakota) www.anpoiyokpiwin.com

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 55

Designs: Ohopa by Darla Takes the Knife (Lakota)

56 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Designs: Anpo Iyokpi Win (Lakota) www.anpoiyokpiwin.com

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 57

Designs: Tosa Two Heart (Lakota) www.tosatwoheart.com

58 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Designs: Anpo Iyokpi Win (Lakota) www.anpoiyokpiwin.com

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 59

Designs: Tosa Two Heart (Lakota) www.tosatwoheart.com

60 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

Designs: Tosa Two Heart (Lakota) www.tosatwoheart.com

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 61

Designs: Tosa Two Heart (Lakota) www.tosatwoheart.com

Models: Alyssa Merrival, Koltyn Hall, Sam Shoulder, Les Fly, Justiss FiremoonToavs, Cassandra Saucedo, Karrie Zephier and Cas Crawford Special thanks to Tusweca Gallery located in Rapid City, SD (facebook.com/ tuswecagallery)

62 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE

NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | 63

64 | NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE