I Am Indigenous

My Indigeneity is woven into my identity, going all the way back to my ancestors, whose spirit I carry in my heart. I am proud of who I am.

Featuring illustrations by Aedan Corey, Emily Côté, Lynne Hardy, Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Aaron Kaleinani Kai, Soni López-Chávez, Kelsey Mata Foote, Lannie McCullough, Onedove, Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Madeson Singh-Whiteknife, Jordan Stranger and Kameron White.

With mindful affirmations and stunning artwork, I Am Indigenous is a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be Indigenous. Powerful statements honor the richness of Indigenous experiences, showing how strength can be found in identity, inclusivity and respect, while acknowledging the vast variety of languages, territories, appearances, family structures, cultures and traditions. Each illustration was created by a different Indigenous artist, showing unique, personal expressions that highlight the diversity of Indigeneity in North America.

Available in French as Je suis Autochtone.

Anne Tenning is a member of the Stz'uminus First Nation on Vancouver Island and is of Coast Salish, European and Japanese ancestry. Anne worked as an educator for over twenty years and was also the District Principal of Indigenous Education in various school districts in British Columbia. In 2008 Anne received the Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2015 she was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria. Anne is currently a PhD student at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She lives on the beautiful, ancestral and unceded territories of the Secwépemc people in Salmon Arm with her husband and their two cats.

Aedan ????;Corey is a writer, visual artist, Inuit tattooist and emerging curator from Iqaluktuuttiaq, Nunavut. They are the author and illustrator of the chapbooks Kinauvunga?, Inuujunga and the short story Unikkaannguaq. Aedan began creating art at a young age and their work is heavily inspired by their lived experience. Their goal is always to inspire and advocate for those within their communities through their artistic practices. Aedan currently resides in Ottawa on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation with their partner and their two pets.

Emily Côté is an illustrator originally from Windsor, Ontario. She has a unique perspective on art due to her education in both fine art and illustration. Since discovering her Métis connection, she has been learning more about Indigenous culture through art. Emily uses narrative art to highlight our inherent connection with nature. She loves working digitally while also incorporating traditional media such as watercolor and colored pencil. At home, she has many houseplants as a way to bring the green indoors. In her free time, she enjoys drinking tea and walking on trails—touching moss and looking for wildlife, mushrooms and wildflowers.

Lynne Hardy is an illustrator whose mediums are digital drawing and painting, created in Adobe Fresco. She describes her work as colorful with modern depictions of her Navajo people and culture. She gains inspiration from her ancestors and wishes to preserve their stories. At the heart of her work is authenticity, Native representation and inclusion as she hopes to share her culture and stop harmful Native stereotypes. In 2020 she launched her small online business, Ajoobaasani, which sells Navajo products like stickers, prints and apparel. The launch of Ajoobaasani has led to opportunities to work with Native-led organizations and companies that need Native art, allowing her to become a full-time illustrator. Lynne lives in Utah.

Emma Hassencahl-Perley is a Wolastoqey visual artist and curator from Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation) in New Brunswick. She maintains a visual art practice focusing on painting, murals, beadwork and digital illustration. Emma’s artwork reflects her identity as an ehpit (woman) and a Wolastoqiyik citizen of the Wabanaki Confederacy. Her artistic themes explore water, the cosmos, Wabanaki feminisms and the Wabanaki double-curve motif, symbolizing life cycles and relationships, including nationhood and community. These motifs serve as both a cultural and aesthetic foundation in Emma’s practice, connecting ancestral Wabanaki material culture with contemporary digital storytelling techniques.

Aaron Kaleinani Kai is a Native Hawaiian artist from Hilo, Hawai’i, who has built a global following for his murals and collaborations. Since 2012 he has been honing his signature “wave” design, inspired by his passion for surfing in his early years. With over 80 murals around the world and numerous iconic collaborations, Aaron will continue to make waves in the art community. Now a father of three boys, he recognizes the importance of engaging youth in art. He is committed to advancing his artistic career while also giving back to the communities he serves.

Soni López-Chávez is a Mexican-born, San Diego–based digital illustrator and multidisciplinary artist. Drawing from her Chichimeca heritage and immigrant experience, her work centers on self-love, cultural identity and social justice. Formerly a muralist and gallery owner, Soni transitioned to digital art during the pandemic, creating vibrant illustrations that uplift marginalized communities. She has published several coloring books, including a trilingual food-themed edition (Spanish, Nahuatl, English) and a holiday collection honoring Día de Muertos and Christmas. Through her art, Soni fosters awareness of mental health, Indigenous empowerment and self-expression by using creativity as a tool for healing and connection.

Kelsey Mata Foote (Jaax_snée) is a Tlingit and Filipina illustrator, writer and producer from Ketchikan, Alaska. Her inspiration is rooted in a Southeast Alaska childhood—one filled with family, putting up fish, exploring the Tongass with her older brothers and celebrating her heritage. Kelsey’s creative work debuted with Celebration!, a children’s book produced by Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Baby Raven Reads program, which received the American Indian Youth Literature Award—Picture Book Honor in 2024. Kelsey and her brother, artist Nick Alan Foote, are currently the lead illustrators for a three-year language revitalization project that includes nine children’s books and animated shorts in the Tlingit language.

Lannie McCullough is an Afro-Indigenous woman of the S?wx_wú7mesh people. Growing up, she participated in many art forms, like traditional dancing, singing, and wool and cedar weaving. They continue to explore those same art forms and more, like beading, sewing, painting and digital art. Though Lannie has considered herself an artist for as long as she can remember, this is her first professional illustration project and debut book.

Onedove is an Indigenous (Muskeg Lake Cree Nation) two-spirit neurodivergent illustrator and designer from North Vancouver. Their work is a collection of illustration, typography and design inspired by classic illustration, animation and anime. They have been featured in art shows in St. Louis, New York and Vancouver. They have published graphic novels and illustrated picture books such as I Am My Name. Onedove has also had the pleasure of working on a number of projects for clients such as Starbucks, Lululemon, the City of Vancouver and Avandeo.

Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is an Anishinaabe artist and a member of the Wasauksing First Nation. He has illustrated numerous children’s books, including Boozhoo!/Hello! His work has garnered many honors, such as the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, the Indigenous Voices Award and the Blue Spruce Award. Mangeshig currently resides on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples in Vancouver.

Madeson Singh-Whiteknife is a Cree and Punjabi emerging artist and member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation. She is currently based in southern Alberta, Treaty 7 territory, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Indigenous Art Studio, at the University of Lethbridge. Her work can be described as interdisciplinary and constantly evolving, with a primary focus on textile and print work.

Jordan Stranger, an Anishinaabe artist and graphic designer originally from Peguis First Nation, is known for his colorful style represented through both massive murals and minuscule Apple app store icons. He’s designed logos and graphics for Festival du Voyageur, APTN, Shopify, Audible and Apple. His murals and artwork using cultural influences and symbolism can be found throughout the city of Winnipeg, and he is the designer and artist behind the Winnipeg 150 logo. Stranger’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions within contemporary Indigenous culture, and he uses his life experiences and spiritual practice learned through Ojibwe teachings to drive his artistic passions.

Kameron White is a Black Indigenous (Choctaw and Cherokee) comic artist and illustrator. He aims to create bold, distinct and colorful characters, illustrations and stories in his work. As an artist with a diverse background, he understands how not seeing yourself represented can affect you immensely. This understanding powers him to move forward, making sure people see themselves and their stories represented. Kameron lives in Minneapolis.