These Native American women are keeping their culture alive on Insta

In case you haven’t heard, Columbus Day is cancelled. Now, certain states across the country are choosing to celebrate the second Monday of October as “Indigenous Peoples Day” rather than “Christopher Columbus Day.” To celebrate, we’re honoring these bad ass chicks who are keeping their Native American culture alive on Instagram. Check them out below.

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With CNN moments after “victory” #NoDAPL

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Insta blogger @____morningstar____ has one of the most inviting feeds we’ve ever seen. She often posts amazing scenery and beautiful clothing, all while proudly sharing her Native American culture. It’s also clear she’s active in promoting rights for indigenous people, speaking with CNN in regards to the prevention of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Now live❤️ Please read the “know before you shop”section prior to purchase.

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Jamie Okuma is a Native American fashion designer and visual artist who is best known for her incredible beadwork and brightly colored clothing. Each of her pieces are one of a kind and hand-made, featuring unbelievably intricate patterns and vivid pigments. She even has an entire collection entitled “Indigenous Couture”, which pays homage to traditional Native American garments. Browse her work here.

🌹Chingona como mi Madre 🌹 📷: @carlosvelezfoto 💄: @alileemua

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Navajo singer and model Kahara Hodges is one of the many incredible artists that have lent their voice to the track, “Stand Up/ Stand N Rock,” an anthem dedicated to the indigenous-led movement to stop the North Dakota Access Pipeline. The creation of the song and video was organized by Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, who comes from Shoshone heritage himself.

Kahara and a number of other primarily Native American singers and public figures each rallied together for this project in hopes of raising awareness for the cause as well as giving the indigenous people who’ve been fighting against the DAPL a voice. You can check out the video here.

Sarah Eagle Heart is a powerhouse woman who proudly holds the titles of CEO of the humanitarian group Native Americans in Philanthropy and co-founder of the advocacy organization Indigenous Women Rise. Much of Sarah’s work is dedicated to funding Native American communities as well as advocating for and preserving indigenous culture. 

 

Feelin’ that summer glow ☀️ #byellowtail 📸: @ursula.vari

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Temyrss Lane is making strides for women in more ways than one. The soccer player is of Lumni American Indian descent and uses her platform as a regional athlete to raise awareness for indigenous people. Plus, she’s also got a ton of awards under her belt such as the 1999 NSCAA Washington State Adidas Player of the Year, NSCAA/Adidas Far West Region All-American Team and WESCO League Player of the Year and MVP. Rock on GF.

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Han Mitakuyepi! Hello, my relatives! I’m excited, honored, and proud to announce that I am the newest Board Member for Native Hope (@projectnativehope)! This happened amid the fun and madness of planning the #PeoplesClimateMarch but finally announcing! #NativeHope is a non-profit in South Dakota that is dedicated to empowering our #NativeYouth with incredible opportunities, resources, and training, while having our cultural traditions at the root of it. I’m beyond honored for this empowering opportunity, as my Lala Nyal, truly believed in Native Hope and our youth. Native Hope has interviewed him, and my family, telling his story from start to finish, before he passed away. This is one way that I feel I can help our future generations and follow in the footsteps of my Lala. Excited for this journey and to work with Native Hope, to make a difference in our communities. @rising_hearts is collaborating with them in our first event, my Lala’s Memorial 5k, where the proceeds go towards school supplies for my Tribe, Kul Wicasa Oyate. Please visit and support Native Hope, at nativehope.com, on IG and their Facebook page! Lots of great work is happening for Indian Country and I’m blessed to help. Mitakuye Oyasin! ✊🏽🖤

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Another powerhouse woman running her very own organization, Jordan M.D. is the founder and director of the Rising Hearts Coalition, which educates people on Native American culture and raises advocacy on how people can get involved to support the rights of indigenous people. She’s also a writer who runs a blog called NativeinDC, which she describes as “perspectives and resources for natives by a native.” You can read her work here.

 

For today’s Halloween makeup look I did, Wicahpi Waste Win (Star Woman.) My Mom always told her children that we came from the stars, a Lakota belief that we are sacred spirits from the sky. And when our bodies return to Mother Earth, our spirits will make the journey up the trail of spirits (the milky way) to meet our ancestors and loved ones that have passed before us. Lakota Knowledge holds a wealth of Native ancestral knowledge. Let your babies know, they are beautiful unique spirits from the stars! Also as indigenous people, let’s show America that we DO NOT need to appropriate cultures for Halloween by wearing offensive renditions of “The Nobel Savage” or sexualized costumes like “Pocahottie.” #Getwoke 🌌✨⭐️🌙 #rezaissancehalloween #lakota #lakotastarknowledge #indigenous

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Another creative who proudly wears her cultural background, Juliana frequently shares educational posts on her Instagram feed. She even has her own online store, featuring some really cute items that send messages against cultural appropriation. We love the “Not Your Pocahottie” tee, which digs at modern Halloween costumes that sexualize Native American women. Shop her looks and other art here.

When yo family make all yo jewelry so you extra proud #nativepride 💍 #nodapl 🐽

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It’s pretty easy to get lost on Camille’s Instagram feed. It seems like every photo is chosen with the same concentration of an editorial spread in Vogue. The insta blogger frequently shares pics with gorgeous colors and displays some of her native pieces in many of her posts. Although she has two Instagrams, @camisteinn and  @camillesagee, she makes sure to state her #navajopride in both bios.

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Brought the side plumes back out💃🏽💃🏽.. 📸: denis thorp

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As she states in her bio, Hozhoni is a “part time model and full time native.” It’s clear that she’s super proud of where she comes from and frequently shares videos of her participating in traditional Native American dances.

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