Upcycled Stockings

My name is Bryan Waytula, a third-generation artist, and a Cherokee Nation citizen. I belong to the Wolf Clan. Being the son and grandson of two Cherokee National Treasures in Basketry, it is important to me to continue to bring generations together through Indigenous art and practices. The past, present, and future of our Indigenous cultures that have survived have done so thanks to the knowledge passed on and protected by our elders, and we must honor them for that. Although I’m no longer an art teacher, I still educate others through my work as a visual storyteller. My hope is that the stories I share in my work will be enjoyed by and shared with generations to come.

Ahsaki LaFrance-Chachere (Navajo and African American) is the Founder/CEO of Ah-Shi Beauty, the first Native American owned and operated luxury skincare and cosmetics brand in the United States. Through Ah-Shi Beauty, Ahsaki is revolutionizing the beauty industry, creating space for products representing a wide range of skin tones and ensuring true representation for the market. She works to ensure a broad and diverse representation of Indigenous people, as well as empower her clientele to love their skin.

I'm Louie Gong (Nooksack) and I'm the founder of Eighth Generation. I'm a self-taught artist who was raised by my grandparents in the Nooksack tribal community in northwest Washington. I got my start by painting cultural art on shoes, but realized that creating one-of-a-kind pieces did not provide a sustainable pathway to success, so I began applying my artwork to accessibly-priced products. My unique style merges traditional Coast Salish art with influences from my mixed heritage and urban environment to create work that resonates widely across communities and cultures.