Nizhonia Toledo

My name is Nizhonia Toledo. I was born and raised on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. I am an advocate for wild salmon and Indigenous rights. I served two years on the CTUIR Youth Council. I am currently serving on a tribal committee, the Land Protection Planning Comittee (LPPC). Some things I enjoy are participating in cultural events, spending time with family and my child, being outdoors, and serving my community. Art is my passion. I’ve been making it since I was I’m diapers. When I’m not making art I am attending school to achieve higher education.

The moon can symbolize unity. This piece covers all tribes. Due to the many meanings of the moon, but it stands for unity. We come together within our tribes to sit, laugh, have fun and tell stories. We, as Indigenous people, have oral tradition. Without our stories we do not have our knowledge. Our knowledge of our ancestors is important. Without these stories being passed down we lose our identities. This is why it is important we have moments with each other to gather under the moon and share our stories with family, friends and our youth.