Center for Native American Youth Announces 2024 Creative Native Winners

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACTS
Jamie Levitt (jamie.levitt@aspeninstitute.org)
Harper Estey (harper@nunaconsultgroup.com)

Center for Native American Youth Announces 2024 Creative Native Winners
Indigenous youth from around the world submitted art depicting their relationship with the Moon

WASHINGTON – September 19, 2024 – The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute is proud to announce the winners of the seventh annual Creative Native Call for Art. Each of this year’s five winners were selected for their moving representations of the Moon:

Creative Native celebrates artistic expression – a cornerstone of many Indigenous cultures – by providing space and support for young artists, ages 5-24, to showcase their talents. Recognizing the diversity among tribes, all mediums are welcomed. In 2024, CNAY asked Native youth to submit art inspired by the following prompt:
Who or what is the Moon? 

“Our team was truly moved by the level of talent, creativity and knowledge sharing that went into this year’s submissions honoring Grandmother Moon,” said Cheyenne Brady, Associate Director of Youth Programs. “Art is a powerful conduit of expression among Native and Indigenous cultures, and we are proud to continually support and uplift young artists through this program.”

Nearly 50 Creative Natives from across the country submitted their artistic response to the prompt. This year, the program also attracted its first international submissions. All submissions are displayed in CNAY’s virtual Gallery. Four artists – one from each age group – were named categorical winners, each receiving $300. One artist was also recognized as the grand prize winner, and received $1,000.

See below for information about the winners and their work!

Category Winner: 5-9 Years

Margaret C (Navajo)
Age 7

About the Art: “This is a true story of me. I have a dream to work for NASA. I love STEM. I have been inspired to learn about outer space. I read a lot of books about the solar system, constellations, the moon and influential people in STEM careers. I want more girls and Native Americans to have big dreams and shoot for the moon!”

Category Winner: 10-14 Years

Noelle C-Z (Gun Lake Potawatomi, Saginaw Chippewa Tribe)
Age 14

About the Art: “The moon to me has always been a portal to childhood memories. I wanted to show you how I see the moon and the memories that come with it, surrounded by cotton candy clouds and hundreds of glowing fireflies. The moon to me takes me to happy nights filled with laughter, family and friends. I wanted to remind everyone and myself of the memorizing world right out of our windowsill, especially in the eyes of a child.”

Category Winner: 15-19 Years

Nasbah Carl (Navajo)
Age 18

About the Art: “The moon changes constantly, just like how we as people do. Whether that be our personifies, relationships or something as simple as aging, I see it as a privilege to be able to change and continue through the cycle of life. Seeing how time changes you through different phases is something I find very beautiful, and I hope I conveyed that feeling through my art.”

Category Winner: 20-24 Years

Saira Coye-Huhn (Yucatec Maya)
Age 23

About the Art: “The Moon means everything to me. Ix Chel is the Maya Moon goddess. I don’t see her as a “goddess” like people see Greek gods. She is a natural force/energy connecting me to my Indigenous roots in Belize. I look to Ix Chel (Lady Rainbow) for guidance, hope and light. She reminds me of who I am, my ancestors and my life’s beauty. The drawing is my girlfriend, with the Moon’s rainbow crown lighting up her hair, done in colored pencils, tea, silver leaf and fire, inspired by the codices lost to the Inquisition.”

Grand Prize Winner

Aiyana Beaulieu (Red Lake Band of Chippewa)
Age 18

About the Art: “I often find myself gazing at the moon in the different seasons. The inspiration came from an evening where I found myself observing the sky and noticed the silhouette of a tree where it looked like the branches were arms reaching up. I thought about depicting the moon’s relationship with the stars, the sun or the water, but this moment inspired me to explore the relationship between the moon and the trees. I’ve illustrated this enchanting moment when the moon’s light stretches down and hits the tips of the leaves just so.”

###

About CNAY: The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) at the Aspen Institute is a national organization that works alongside Native youth – ages 24 and under – on reservations, in rural villages and urban spaces across the country to improve their health, safety and overall well-being. Rooted in culture, our vision is for all Native youth to lead full and healthy lives, be honored for the leaders they are, and have the resources and agency to create the world they are worthy of and deserve.