Nahaan Speaks Up

Tattooing is a tradition that our people have been practicing for generations. Indigenous people from all four directions have many traditional ways of tattooing.  These tattoos represent different clans, tribes, and even individuals’ status in their communities. Today there are still traditional tattoo artist that perform tattoos. I got the opportunity to vibe with a Tlingit tattoo artist!  At the Northwest canoe journeys there can be over 10,000 natives in one location. So many people were holding raffle ticket signs, selling amazing cedar work from carving to weaving. My homeboy Keet Dayeen was walking around holding a sign that said "Tlingit Tattooing by Nahaan". Tlingit Tattoo and Design by Nahaan https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TlingitTattoo I got the chance to meet Nahaan from the Tlingit nation.

Tattooing has been a large part of the Tlingit culture since time began. It is ceremonial to give and receive tattoos whether it is done through tapping, sewing, or gunning.

Keet Dayeen, Nahaan, and myself--Paddle to Squaxin Island 2012

Not only is Nahaan a tattoo artist, but he is a carving and a design apprentice under Nathan Jackson. He paints, draws, craves, sculpts, sings, writes and speaks on many issues that he is passionate about. 

 I am so ecstatic about Nahaan’s work!  From being an Eastern Algonquin native I can say that the coastal designs in the west are very different from our traditional coastal designs here in the east. Our traditional designs were found near the edge and border of our garments and even pottery. Sometimes designs would be found in the center of mantels, bags, and breech cloths. They were also abstract and had minimal detail. Sometimes when looking at a eastern Algonquin design you can see many different types of things in one design. That could also depend on who was viewing the design.

Nahaan’s designs are so lively with so much consistency. It is artist like Nahaan that helps to keep our traditions alive. The exsposure of his work we will become relevant in today’s society because it will intrigue people to look further into what not only native artist are doing but what is happening in Native America!

He is an active vigorous advocate for native rights. My Facebook newsfeed floods with the current work in his movement. I know many people have the perception of Facebook being a negative platform; however, I think it depends on who you choose to follow and who follows you. The posts that Nahaan includes on his page, creates awareness in the social media network for Native America. The content of the posts that he projects is an artistic outlook on important issues from our native languages to our fight and struggle in standing for our rights.

You know how people use the phrase “ A man of many hats”?  LOL…Well I would say Nahaan seems to be the artist of many hats!

I just want say to Nahaan--keep the fire burning because your work provides our people with the enlightenment that we need to prosper. Specifically our youth! Role models and mentors seem to be short in numbers these days. However, people like you and many others I have blogged about are those role models and mentors that our youth need to lead our nations.

              Be sure to check out Nahaan’s work

Instagram @nahaan206

Facebook:

Nahaan Speaks Up https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/nahaan?fref=ts

Tlingit Tattoo and Design by Nahaan https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TlingitTattoo

The Inspiring Keet Dayeen

    

Last summer I got the awesome opportunity to vibe with +Keet Dayeen at the annual Northwest canoe journeys “Paddle to Squaxin Island 2012”.  He is from the Tohono O’odham Nation. We spoke about the power of unity and how our people are progressing towards coming together. As young adults it is our job to be as active as we can right now to continue to pave the way for the younger generations to follow. 

 

Dayeen is surely one of those young adults that is paving a road to success. From being a lyricist to being an activist for native rights, Dayeen sends out the good energy we need to help in the betterment of our communities. He is moved and inspired by music. Right now he is continuously working on his own artistic progression through hip-hop, poetry and music. He has his own recordings and production.  Check him out on Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/#keetdayeen

It’s natives like Dayeen that deserve recognition for the work that they do. Through my blog I hope I can show the world the great work Native Americans are doing not only in Indian country but in the country period. For some reason there is still a foot over our backs stunting our growth to breach the mainstream conversations alone. I encourage ALL of you—native and non-native that when reading my blog you begin think about ways to bring light to what Native Americans are doing.  Whether it is the work a Tribal elder has done for their people throughout their entire life or a young leader in a youth organization, we demand to be “Idle no more”! http://bflybiz.blogspot.com/2013/01/idle-no-more.html  If we can bring Native Americans to a relevant place in today’s society then the struggle will become less painful in our communities.

The conversation that Dayeen and I had on unity is what we need others to be discussing in BOTH worlds. When I say BOTH worlds I am sure all of my native followers know what I am referring to. However, to the non-native followers it means that as a Native American today we literally live in two worlds at the same time. Being Native American is not just an ethnicity; moreover, it is a way of life. With that said I KNOW if you listen to Kent Dayeen’s work you will be more than in encouraged to do something about this movement of being “Idle No More”.

Just giving a shout out to Dayeen, I am a fan of your work and appreciate your dedication to our people! Keep the tradition alive and keep working hard.

Check out Keet Dayeen on Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/#keetdayeen

 

Introducing Ahna Red Fox Smith

Meet Ahna (Red Fox) Smith. She is a 17 year old Native American photographer. This young and gifted photographer is from the Shinnecock Indian Nation. The inspiring idea of Ahna's work is that she represents all youth. There is so much enlightenment in seeing the perspective of our youth. The importance of the vision of our youth is that their vision is our future. Youth need more and more verbal encouragement than ever because our world needs change, and it’s encouragement that will give our youth the power to lead and be that change. I have to say Ahna’s work is definitely moving! Photographers from all over the world are inspired by Native Americans. On a larger level Native American photographers see things in our culture that other photographers cannot capture.

Through the uplifting photography by Ahna  the world can begin to understand that photographers help to bring change in our communities. It allows people to see things in ways they may have never thought of seeing. Ahna continues to rise with her gift. A gift is something to be shared so be sure to follow Ahna.
Follow her INSTAGRAM @ahmckeyz_x