Paige Pettibon also created an Indigenous Peoples Day’s poster highlighting Black and Indigenous activism and solidarity, a commission from the CANOES Affinity Group in Seattle, Washington.
its website addressing “Black relatives” and of- fering a “thank you to the protectors march- ing in the streets, thank you to those posting messages of solidarity at home, to those do- nating, to others having hard conversations with friends or family, and to the artists find- ing ways to express our grief.” The collective considered how it could be responsive to the needs in the Black community while high- lighting people’s voices through art. The re- sult was a series of protest posters featuring art by Black-Indigenous artists. Community curator Britt Reed (Black and Choctaw de- scent) led the project and worked with the three artists. She says the posters "reflect on the impact of violence and cooperation with- in Native and Black communities, particular- ly for those of us who are Black Natives." Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Joyner
is an undergraduate public health student at Wayne State University. She uses her art to connect people to cultural movements and her
Black-Indigeneity. Recently her artwork was featured in the children’s book “Our Smallest Warriors, Our Strongest Medicine: Overcom- ing COVID-19,” published by the Johns Hop- kins Center for American Indian Health. She says her poster, “We Stand Togeth-
er,” shows how Black and Indigenous peo- ples have different yet overlapping struggles against oppression. The two women are linking arms in solidarity. The Indigenous woman is wearing a ribbon skirt, and the red symbolizes MMIW [Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women] awareness. The Black woman wears the colors of the pan-African flag and a #BlackLivesMatter bracelet.” Joyner’s poster was her first project with
yәhaw’ and her first creation of “action art.” She says, “I was very honored to express sol- idarity and allyship. As someone who is of Black and Kauwets’a:ka descent, I wanted to show my support for the healing of both Black and Indigenous communities.”
Paige Pettibon is of Black and Salish descent from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in Montana. She is a multidisciplinary artist who works in mixed media, graphic arts, fiber and beadwork.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 21
PHOTO BY TAYLOR JONES
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