Aydrian D.

Boozhoo, my name is Aydrian. I come from the Hochunk, Lakota, Ojibwe, Odawa and Bodewadmi. I live in Peshawbestown, Michigan. I care about learning and keeping our culture alive through my art. By looking back at all my tribes’ ways, I want to revitalize our awesome lifeways. I hope by doing this, it will inspire more youth to do the same. I first started beading when I was 3 and started to really invest my time when I was 7. It’s fun to learn new techniques and imagine I’m doing the same things as my ancestors.

Your first home is your mother. Then it’s your cradleboard. When I was a baby, that is where I spent most of my time. My cradleboard shows that love and the designs represent who I am and where I come from. “Até Iyocicila” shows the love my Dad gave to me and the love I want to give my future kids with making their cradleboards and home. Home for me is all of my family, they all give good life, love and cultural lessons that’s how I came to be the artist and person I am today.