I Come From Chiefs Too

16x20/Acrylic on Canvas2026
**I Come From Chiefs Too**

My newest work out of the Rainy Mountain Studio reflects on the many ways Indigenous identity is lived and expressed. The figure stands within a visual language of Pan Indian inspired forms and symbols while presenting himself as a contemporary individual, comfortable in his own identity and unconcerned with meeting expectations placed upon him by others.

The painting speaks to the idea that Native people are not defined solely by ceremony, tradition, or family lineage. While some individuals place great importance on those connections, they do not represent the only way to be Indigenous. The title acknowledges an ancestral connection to respected leaders and chiefs, while also suggesting that such heritage does not have to become the center of one's identity.

The man recognizes where he comes from, but he does not rely on the accomplishments or reputation of those who came before him to define his worth. He does not ride the coattails of a famous chief's name or use ancestry as a measure of importance. Instead, he carves his own path, building his own identity.
Our ancestors are part of our story, but each of us is responsible for writing our own chapter.