Tommey Jodie

My name is Tommey Jodie, I am Diné (Navajo), originally from Teesto, AZ, but raised in Winslow, AZ. I am a storyteller, activist, artist and student at the University of Arizona. Currently working towards my bachelor’s degrees in Food Studies and Nutrition & Food Systems. I have a small business called Butterflies and Azee’ (Medicine). B&A is homeland to my heart and focuses on bold and bright handmade beaded earrings, necklaces and hats.

This handcrafted beadwork showcases my home, Teesto, Arizona, embodying the profound connection between the land and my identity. It signifies the core of coming home and healing. Each element in this piece holds a special place in my heart and symbolizes my home. In the background stands Saddle Butte, an iconic saddle-shaped hill. Moving closer, you’ll find a traditional hogan, a horse trailer, a truck, a sheep corral, my brother shepherding, and my other brother and me tending to the crops in the field. This artwork encapsulates the spirit of homecoming and resilience in a 6×6-inch piece.