21, Crow Nation
20-24 Years Old Winner & Grand Prize Winner
This piece is titled “Bear Medicine,” which is also my Apsaalooke name. I made this work personal to represent my dreams and manifestations for the future of my community. It’s important to honor the traditions of the past in order to ensure a future of healing and resilience. The colorful floral bear represents a spirit helper that encourages healing through the dark times. The dark background and the 4-pointed stars show that our ancestors continue to guide us through darkness to a brighter future. The bear paw prints represent walking a good path for others to follow.