The Native American Indian Association is growing their Arts Education department, and we want you to feel seen and supported. We are working to provide Native creators with job opportunities, art project support, and connect our artisans with inquiries that come through our offices.
In a collaborative effort with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee is thrilled to announce the launch of the Native Artisan Cohort, a blossoming initiative aimed at showcasing and preserving traditional Native art forms. This groundbreaking program features ten Native artists from various tribes, each contributing to a series of webinars, seminars, in-person workshops, and Native artist markets scheduled from now until June.
The Native Artisan Cohort represents a dynamic collaboration with esteemed partners, including Vanderbilt’s Student Center for Social Justice and Identity, Vanderbilt University Fine Arts Gallery, Tennessee State University Department of Art and Design, and the Frist Art Museum. These alliances emphasize the commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of Native cultures, both past and present.
Below is a list of our 2024 Native Artisan Cohort and link to their websites:
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Aaliyah Alberts, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe |
Alica Murphy Wildcatt, Eastern Band of Cherokee |
Aliyah Myers, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma |
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Charles Robinson,Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma |
Dayini Heaven Lossie, Eastern Band of Cherokee |
Justin Miller, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans |
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Kirsten Solomon, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians |
Nancy Pheasant, Eastern Band of Cherokee |
Sonya Monk, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians |
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Trenton Wheeler, Blackfeet/Métis |
Currently there are no job postings or grant opportunities.
The Native American Indian Association is growing their Arts Education department, and we are creating K-12 Programming to help assist in teaching Native American culture and history in Tennessee. Please continue to visit our site for updates.
In a collaborative effort with the Tennessee Arts Commission, the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee is working with Native artists to create a series of lesson plans. Please continue to check back as these materials become public.
NAIA could not accomplish so much without the support of our Board, members, and the community. We are interested in growing our organization to provide more services and resources for the community.
Currently, we are unable to provide assistance in tracing Native ancestry. We recommend consulting the guide offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior for methods on tracing your family history. It’s important to note that the Bureau of Indian Affairs does not keep exhaustive records of individuals with Native American heritage. The responsibility to prove Native American ancestry falls on the individual making the claim and reaching out to their respective Tribe.
Below are some great Native organizations, brands, and news we recommend.
- Illuminatve, Native woman-led racial and social justice organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of—and challenging the narrative about—Native peoples.
- Tennessee Ancient Sites Conservancy, a nonproft aimed in the preservation and education of Tennessee Ancient Historical sites.
- @Indigenous.TV, Native operated Instagram account to keep up with current happenings in the Native media world.
- List of Native Brands to support published by Goodhousekeeping.com
