Amerie F

My name is Amerie, enrolled Crow and descendant of Cheyenne and Kaw. I am currently located in Oklahoma. My recent achievements include getting accepted for two years at Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute and Honorable Mention & Silver Key in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. With my work, I love to incorporate my ceremonial ways and family into each piece. I primarily work with acrylic, oil and water paints. These mediums can be difficult to work with, but patience is pertinent to my interests.

For me, as well as Cheyenne people, the moon symbolizes Native American Church and the women of my community. In NAC ceremonies, you enter the tipi at night and pray until sunrise. When you enter inside, you’ll see red dirt shaped like a crescent moon, with a fire in the center. For us, this dirt moon represents the road of life. Furthermore, that path of life would not be possible without the woman. To Cheyenne people women are powerful, to such an extent that when we are menstruating we’re considered too powerful and can cause people sickness during ceremonies. To me the moon represents life.