Celebrating Black History Month with Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere and Mikailah Thompson

February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month, and Eighth Generation is excited to share, celebrate, and amplify the voices of Afro-Indigenous artists. It is important to educate and acknowledge that intersectionality historically and continually exists within the Native community. Today we highlight two incredible Afro-Indigenous artists that we are proud to work with: Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere (Diné/Navajo and African American) and Mikailah Thompson (nimíipuu and Black). Both of these talented artists use influences from both of their cultures, blending them together into their contemporary art and work.

Meet Diné/Navajo and African American Artist Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere

Check out Ahsaki’s artist bio and Eighth Generation collection here

Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere (Diné/Navajo and African American) is the Founder/CEO of Ah-Shí Beauty, the first Native American owned and operated luxury skincare and cosmetics brand in the United States. She has been featured in Forbes, Harper's Bazaar US, and Cosmopolitan, and is the 2021 awardee for Native Business Owner of the Year. "Ah-Shí in Diné means 'this is me, this is mine'," shares Ahsaki. "When you look in the mirror and say Ah-Shí Beauty, you are saying 'this is my beauty.' You set your own beauty standards. You hold that power."[i]

In 2022 she co-founded LaChachere Music Group (LMG) with her husband, Dennis. This full-service management, music publishing company, production and record label is dedicated to promoting diversity in country music and brings a positive transformation within the country music industry by helping artists share their stories and creativity[ii]. LMG's goal is to make positive contributions to the community, nation, and global stage[iii].

As an artist herself who has created two beautiful and best-selling designs with Eighth Generation—her Warrior Belt Hoop Earrings and Walk in Beauty Wool Blanket—we asked Ahsaki about her experiences as an Afro-Indigenous artist in the art space:

Q: What does it mean to you to be an Afro-Indigenous artist?

A: It’s my superpower! I get to celebrate and embrace two beautiful cultures at once. Creating art to express the beauty of my world from my perspective. I get to show the world how we are similar than different. Art is powerful.

Q: Why is intersectionality in art important?

A: Right now, more than anything, we need to be in the forefront to demonstrate where we come from and many generations we represent in our art. The stories we tell through art can live beyond our years. Celebrating culture through art can heal our dividing world. The best way to represent ourselves is ourselves.

 

 Meet nimîipuu and Black Artist Mikailah Thompson

Check out Mikailah’s artist bio and Eighth Generation collection here

Mikailah Thompson (nimíipuu* and Black) is an Afro-Indigenous beadwork artist who has collaborated with well-known Indigenous-owned companies like Manitobah and ThunderVoice Hat Co. to create incredible designs. She has been featured in Forbes for her one-of-a-kind pieces, and seamlessly merges art with entrepreneurship. Her maternal grandmother, Chloe Halfmoon, taught her how to bead at a young age, which helped her to establish a deeper connection to her culture and community. From there, she has created her own contemporary style that beautifully merges both traditional nimîipuu and African influences.

Rooted in my culture, I intricately bead subtle elements of nimíipuu and African designs into the pieces I create. Each bead, each stitch, serves as a profound homage to the legacy of my ancestors—honoring their stories, traditions, and resilience. Most of my designs are geometric, a traditional influence that inspires a lot of my work. I really love bold designs and patterns that tell their own stories[iv], shares Mikailah.

You can purchase Mikailah’s original creations or even sign up for a beading class with her on her website, Beadwork by Mikailah. In working with Eighth Generation and Potlatch Fund, Mikailah designed our Prosperity Wool Blanket—another example of her artistry speaking for itself. We asked Mikailah if she would share a bit about her experience navigating the art space as an Afro-Indigenous artist:

Q: What does it mean to you to be an Afro-Indigenous artist?

A: Being an Afro-Indigenous artist means honoring and embracing the fullness of my identity while using my art to share stories, traditions, and experiences that come from both of my cultures. Through my work, I aim to establish my own style while creating spaces for representation. Being an Afro-Indigenous artist isn’t just about creating—it’s about healing, connecting, and building community. It’s a responsibility and a privilege to carry forward the style of work that I do while innovating and pushing boundaries in ways that reflect the identity I hold.

Q: Why is intersectionality in art important?

A: Intersectionality in Native art creates space for more inclusive and authentic representation, ensuring that no voice or perspective is excluded. It allows Native artists to honor their individuality while collectively contributing to carrying some of our stories and/or traditions we’ve been taught.

Intersectionality allows the artist to address issues like colonization, cultural erasure, systemic oppression, and resilience, while also celebrating diversity within Indigenous identities. It highlights how different aspects of identity—such as being Afro-Indigenous or part of a mixed-heritage family—shape the way artists experience and interpret the world. This broadens the narrative beyond stereotypes, fostering a deeper understanding of Native cultures as multifaceted.

*The nimîipuu nation originates from what is now known as Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. Also known as the Nez Perce (French), which is a colonial term incorrectly designated to the nimîipuu upon contact. We include this point for educational purposes.

Happy Black History Month

Although February is Black History Month, it is important to remember that today and every day, we must celebrate, educate, and acknowledge the accomplishments and history of our Black relatives. Eighth Generation prides itself on providing ethical alternatives to “Native-inspired” art which includes designs from Native artists of all backgrounds. Thank you for continuing to support “Inspired Natives®, not Native-inspired”!