Explore Native American Heritage: Names & Faces
11 Influential Native American Artists
From art world veterans who have been using their work to advocate for Native rights for decades to a younger generation of artists who are using traditional techniques to address contemporary issues, here is a list of some of the most influential Native American artists living and working today.
Tara Houska: The Standing Rock resistance and our fight for Indigenous rights
Tribal attorney and Couchiching First Nation citizen Tara Houska chronicles the history of attempts by government and industry to eradicate the legitimacy of Indigenous peoples' land and culture, including the months-long standoff at Standing Rock which rallied thousands around the world.
6 Stories Celebrating Native American History and Culture
From cuisine to code talkers, from art to eagle feathers, this reel celebrates Native American history and culture on Turtle Island, now widely known as the United States.
Kat Jefferson is a Native/First Nations singer-songwriter who posted this version of "This Land Is Your Land" on TikTok.
Ron (Muqsahkwat) Corn, Jr.: Language: The Key to Everything
One of the most significant losses to the Native American culture is the loss of the indigenous language. This talk addresses the need to revitalize the Menominee Native American language.
NOTE: The opening and closing moments of this talk are spoken in the endangered Menominee language, currently understood by only a few dozen people worldwide. English subtitles have been provided.
Recommended read:
Notable Native PeopleCall Number: E 89 K44 2021An accessible and educational illustrated book profiling 50 notable American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
- This Woman is Photographing Every Federally Recognized Native American TribeCoverage of photographer Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes)'s Project 562, a Kickstarter-funded pursuit to photograph every federally recognized Native American tribe.
- Project562 GallerySee more of Wilbur's beautiful, empowered portraits of Native Americans here!
Electric Pow Wow (Live Performance)
The Halluci Nation, formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, is a Canadian electronic music group who blend instrumental hip hop, reggae, moombahton and dubstep-influenced dance music with elements of First Nations music, particularly vocal chanting and drumming.
Poet Focus: Joy Harjo
Joy Harjo was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Harjo draws on First Nation storytelling and histories, as well as feminist and social justice poetic traditions, and frequently incorporates indigenous myths, symbols, and values into her writing. She is also the incumbent United States Poet Laureate, the first Native American to hold that honor.
- Perhaps the World Ends Here"Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table."
- Eagle Poem"We see you, see ourselves and know / that we must take the utmost care / and kindness in all things."
In an enchanting lyrical rendition of William Blake's poem "Sleep Sleep Beauty Bright," singer Martha Redbone blends rhythm, blues and soul with traditional Native American music.