Gianni Lacey-Howard, 18
Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation
For me, wearing my beadwork is like wearing armor on a battlefield. It brings me protection and tranquility. In this painted image, the medicine wheel presents itself behind a young Native woman wearing a matching beaded earring and necklace set. It is to represent the strength that beadwork carries when preserving mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.