Bella Haakanson

I’m Bella, Sugpiaq originally from Kodiak, AK. I’m now in my second at UCLA, double majoring in American Indian Studies and International Development Studies. I’m the RA for the AIPI LLC (American Indian, Pacific Islander Living Learning Community) as well as the treasurer for AISA (American Indian Student Association)! I love doing my friends’ nails so just started a press on nail business that I’m planning to do more Native designs and sell them at powwows.

I wanted to bring in some Native designs into nails because I’ve never seen it done before. I’m very active in the Native community wherever I am so I wanted to make something that will get younger generations involved. In a fashion way they can show their culture with every day wear. I wanted to incorporate Sugpiaq designs and petroglyphs (tattoo as well) in my nails. The hand dots represent healing, good energy coming in and bad leaving.