Jazell Jenkins

Jazell Jenkins, a member of the Unangax/Aleut tribe from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, first discovered her passion for art at Clear Sky Academy, a program offered by the Urban Native Education Alliance. Under the guidance of elder John Romero, Jazell learned the traditional craft of ledger art, sparking her creative journey. She has since embraced her artistic talents in collages, online marketing, graphic design, and occasional painting and drawing. Currently, Jazell is a student at the University of Washington, where she continues to explore and develop her artistic voice, blending cultural heritage with contemporary expression.

The Moon is a bridge across time and space, a symbol of unity linking us to our ancestors and future generations. My collage features the Moon’s phases, mountains from my tribe’s land on the Aleutian Islands, and eight Native languages of the word “moon” (Unangax̂, Lushootseed, Yupik, Navajo, Lakota, Ojibwa, Siouan, Seneca), conveying this connection. Just as the Moon goes through phases, so do we. It teaches us that even when we don’t feel whole, we are enough. Like our ancestors, we are on our way, growing in grace and wisdom each day.