Approach

Indigenous people have always been artistic and creative. As an expression of human creativity, art can take almost countless forms, which is why we focus on different types of art. Here is a glimpse at the variety of art forms, mediums, and styles we are focusing on at Creative Nations.

  • Applied Arts

    Applied Arts include but are not limited to Architecture, Fashion Design, Jewelry Design, Carpentry and Interior Design.

  • Literary Arts

    Literary Arts include but are not limited to Literature, Creative Writing, and Poetry.

  • New Media Arts

    New Media Arts include but are not limited to Animation, Digital Art & Design, Web Design, and Photo Manipulation.

  • Performance Arts

    Performing Arts include but are not limited to Dance, Singing, Theater, Film, and Music.

  • Visual Arts

    Visual Arts include but are not limited to Painting, Drawing, Sculptures, Graffiti, Murals, Calligraphy, Photography, and Makeup Artistry.

  • Cultural & Storytelling

    Indigenous people are pioneers of creativity and ingenuity, which are present in our cultures and stories today.

Our Pillars

We are more than a collective of Indigenous artists on a mission. We are coordinating a number of efforts–both big and small–to bring our causes and projects to life. We are more than talkers; we are determined and do-ers.

Accurate REPRESENTATION

To provide an accurate representation of Native arts in Colorado and surrounding areas.

Our world needs more Indigenous representation, not just for diversity and equity’s sake, but for all the things that come with the Native way of life. There are aspects of Indigenous culture that are missing from the larger community. All of humanity needs Indigenous representation to reconnect with the Earth. Indigenous culture teaches reverence for the Earth—plants, animals, and even objects are to be honored. By fostering a relationship with the environment through mindfulness and conservation and moving away from colonial behavior, humanity can find greater peace, wisdom, and harmony.

Focus On The Next Generation

To create opportunities, resources, and platforms for emerging artists and youth through exhibitions, performances, and mentorship.

As the 7th generation prophecy states, today’s youth are here to heal the world. This generation of artists is poised to do great things and needs a platform that will benefit one another and the whole world. The Dairy’s multiple theaters, cinemas, and galleries will be available to Creative Nations artists, along with technical and logistical support from Dairy administrative staff.

Inclusion & Balance

To provide an accurate representation of Native arts in Colorado and surrounding areas.

Our world needs more Indigenous representation, not just for diversity and equity’s sake, but for all the things that come with the Native way of life. There are aspects of Indigenous culture that are missing from the larger community. All of humanity needs Indigenous representation to reconnect with the Earth. Indigenous culture teaches reverence for the Earth—plants, animals, and even objects are to be honored. By fostering a relationship with the environment through mindfulness and conservation and moving away from colonial behavior, humanity can find greater peace, wisdom, and harmony.

Create Community

To grow the Native community engaged with our dedicated multi-functional space, coming together in sacred creativity.

More than just a meeting space, a dedicated center within the Dairy’s larger facility that houses multiple venues, a cinema, and 4 galleries, will support creative exchange, new ideas, and multiple opportunities for performances and exhibitions. The CN center will: House a collection of books, music, magazines and various publications for reference and educational purposes; Host guest speakers to share about various social, economic, environmental and educational issues affecting Indigenous communities; Be open daily and provide some art supplies to do individual or collaborative works; Provide technology to develop podcasts and Indigenous-led zines.

Leadership Council & Staff

  • Marty Strenczewilk

    Ojibwe
    MANAGING DIRECTOR

    Marty Strenczewilk is an award winning Ojibwe storyteller, playwright, librettist and lyricist, enrolled with the Sault Ste. Marie tribe. He has plays in development with multiple American regional theatres. Marty has been part of the leadership of Creative Nations since 2021.

  • Bruce Cook

    Arapaho/Haida
    LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

    Bruce Cook, III is an acclaimed Haida artist who creates sculptures, silk-screen prints, carved masks, canoes and painted drums. Bruce began his artistic training under the guidance of his uncle, Warren Peele, a master artist in the Village of Hydaburg, Alaska. Many members of his lineage are artists.

  • Walt Pourier

    Oglala Lakota
    LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

    Walt Pourier, Creative Director of Nakota Designs, is Oglala Lakota, from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Walt’s focus – through his art and design and through the many creative movements he supports – is to share messages of hope, inspiration, and healthy way of life outlooks. His outreach efforts have included youth movements, language revitalization campaigns, suicide prevention, ending domestic violence, food distribution, etc, which have reached many communities.

  • Leala Pourier

    Oglala Lakota/Cheyenne River
    LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

    Leala Pourier is a youth activist and student. Born and raised in Colorado, she is Oglala Lakota and her family is from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Leala currently attends the University of Denver and is double majoring in Creative Writing and Strategic Communications. They have spoken on several panels as a youth leader and workshop teacher and they’re passionate about diversity and stereotypes, Indigenuity, and sovereignty.

Founding Members

In 2020, five Native artists came together to discuss with The Dairy Arts Center leadership how they could go beyond a land acknowledgement plaque on the wall and take true #Landback action. Creative Nations was the result.

  • JayCee Beyale

    Diné

    JayCee grew up in the Four Corners area of New Mexico and received his BFA in printmaking from the University of New Mexico. His career as an artist began with the discovery of street art and graffiti. Using a combination of spray paints and acrylics, he celebrates the fusion of technology with Indigenous culture, primarily in paintings and murals. JayCee’s work is deeply influenced by music, while the combination of traditional Indigenous ideologies with his Buddhist practice is equally important to his artmaking, through which he strives to illuminate core concepts and convictions: the Laws of Movement, Unity and Impermanence.

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  • Kelly Holmes

    Cheyenne River Lakota

    Kelly is the founder and President of Native Max New Media, an award-winning global multimedia brand. She is also editor-in-chief of Native Max Magazine, a glossy publication which features the fashion, culture, and lifestyle of Native American and First Nations people.

    She co-founded Skoden Ventures, the first Native female-founded boutique venture fund that focuses on supporting very early-stage start-up ventures with Indigenous, Black, Brown, and female founders. Kelly utilizes her significant personal experience and long expertise in start-ups to help disrupt the traditional VC model, helping make capital accessible to historically-excluded communities.

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  • Danielle Seewalker

    Hunkpapa Lakota/Standing Rock Sioux

    Danielle is a fine artist, muralist, writer, activist, and boymom of two, based in Denver, Colorado. Her artwork pays homage to her identity as a Lakȟóta wíŋyaŋ (woman) and her passion to redirect the narrative to an accurate and insightful representation of contemporary Native America while still acknowledging historical events.

    Alongside her passion for creating visual art, Danielle is a freelance writer and published her first book in 2020 titled, “Still Here: A Past to Present Insight of Native American People & Culture.” She is also very dedicated to staying connected and involved in her Native community and has served as a mayoral appointed City Commissioner for the Denver American Indian Commission since 2019.

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  • Tanaya Winder

    Southern Ute/Pyramid Lake Paiute/Diné/Duckwater Shoshone

    Tanaya Winder is an author, singer / songwriter, poet, motivational speaker, artist educator, and coach who comes from an intertribal lineage of Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Diné and Duckwater Shoshone Nations where she is an enrolled citizen. Her heritage also includes African American. Tanaya’s performances and talks emphasize the importance of “heartwork” – the life path one is meant to follow by using his/her/their gifts and passions. She blends storytelling, singing, and spoken word to teach about different expressions of love (self love, intimate love, social love, community love, and universal love). She is a published author who travels sharing her music, poetry, and writing/empowerment workshops.

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  • Walt Pourier

    Oglala Lakota

    Walt Pourier, Creative Director of Nakota Designs, is Oglala Lakota, from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Walt’s focus – through his art and design and through the many creative movements he supports – is to share messages of hope, inspiration, and healthy way of life outlooks. His outreach efforts have included youth movements, language revitalization campaigns, suicide prevention, ending domestic violence, food distribution, etc, which have reached many communities.

    Learn More

Opportunities

Creative Nations is ALWAYS LOOKING to meet Native artists of all disciplines, backgrounds, career stage and cultural backgrounds.