TOGETHER WE LIFT THE SKY
YEHAW AND BLACK-INDIGENOUS ARTISTS ADVANCE SOCIAL JUSTICE
Y HAW ,
BY ANYA MONTIEL “S
olidarity between Indige- nous and Black people is a must,” says artist Storme Webber. “Our histories are complex, and we need to
learn about one another.” Webber is one of several Black-Indigenous
artists whose works move beyond the idea of the singular “Native experience” or the “Black experience.” Their distinct approach to cre- ating art draws from the shared histories of Indigenous and Black communities and in- tertwined struggles in the Americas. In June 2020, three artists—Joelle Joyner
(Black and Kauwets’a:ka descent), Paige Pettibon (Black and Salish descent) and Webber (Black, Sugpiaq and Choctaw de- scent)—created free, online posters through the yәhaw’ Indigenous artist collective. They offered their work for anyone to post, print and share at local and global protests and demonstrations. These artists and the yәhaw’ collective have been raising awareness about social issues to affect positive change in their communities and beyond. yәhaw’ is a group of Indigenous cre- atives based in Coast Salish territories of
18 AMERICAN INDIAN WINTER 2020
Washington state committed to developing community leaders and making space for Indigenous art through cultural, art and design services. The word “yәhaw’ ” means “to proceed, go forward, do the work” in the Lushootseed language. yәhaw’ is inclu- sive, welcoming global Indigenous people and centering Indigenous voices, especially those of womxn (a term inclusive of trans and nonbinary women), Two Spirit (a term used by some Native people to describe third and fourth genders and/or people possessing both male and female spirits) and youth. The collective is led by a curatorial team
consisting of Asia Tail (Cherokee Nation), Satpreet Kahlon, Kimberly Deriana (Man- dan/Hidatsa) and Tracy Rector (Black and Choctaw/Seminole descent). Team mem- bers share responsibilities, each drawing upon separate strengths in writing, cura- tion, programming, fundraising and grant writing. A number of community curators help develop exhibitions and projects at various locations. yәhaw’ began as a yearlong project cul- minating in the exhibition “yәhaw’ : Together
Joelle Joyner is an undergraduate public health student, freelance illustrator and jingle dress dancer of Black and Kauwets’a:ka descent (here, in traditional regalia in Detroit, Michigan). She says her “We Stand Together” poster was her first piece of “action art.”
PHOTO BY ROSA MARÍA ZAMARRÓN
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