Halcyon Levi

Hello, my name is Halcyon Levi. I am Southern Cheyenne, Arapaho and Kiowa, and I grew up in southwestern Oklahoma. My Cheyenne name is Ameohtse′he′e, which means Walks with the Woman. To me, this name represents facing life’s challenges with strength, and continuing to move forward no matter what comes my way. I’m 21 years old and have been drawing since I was a kid. I’m currently in my senior year at the University of Denver and will be graduating in the spring as one of the first Sand Creek Massacre descendants to graduate from there.

“Star Girl” was inspired by my people’s creation story, how we come from the stars and are meant for them. The iron in our blood connects us to the fragments of stars that existed long before us. When I look to the night sky, I think of my ancestors who did the same. This piece was created on an authentic 1940 ledger, continuing the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Kiowa tradition of using ledger art to carry our stories. The girl, dressed in a traditional Cheyenne buckskin dress, holds a star wand to represent this connection. Made with colored pencils and ink.