Chris Nayquonabe is of the Bitter Water Clan, born for the Folded Arms Clan, her maternal grandfather is of the Ute Salt People Clan and her paternal grandfather is of the Salt Clan. This is what makes her a Diné Woman. She is also an artist, an educator, and an Indigenous Youth Mentor.
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Chris Nayquonabe and launching her first collection which she has named, Nizhoni. In the interview below, Chris gives us more insight into her background, the meaning of her work and the inspiration behind her design.
Please share a bit about your Native American background. Which tribe do you belong to? What do you want people to know about your tribe/community?
I am a member of the Navajo Nation, and I grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. My husband and children are members of the Mille Lacs Band in Minnesota, and for the past twenty-two years, I’ve been educating Native American Youth in the Mille Lacs community.
Can you describe the symbolism behind your Nizhoni design? What inspired you to create it?
I grew up on the Navajo reservation surrounded by strong woman artists, my mother was seamstress, my grandmother used to make traditional Navajo baskets, my paternal grandmother weaved rugs. It wasn’t until I was in middle school and high school when my Art teachers encouraged me to purse my art. I fell in love with teaching Native American Art.
What does “Nizhoni” mean? How do you pronounce it?
Nizhoni or Nizh-own-Ee
Nizhoni means beautiful in Navajo. Navajo people believe in “walking in beauty.” We are taught to live in beauty, it’s not referring to external beauty but internal beauty, being a good person and respecting the world around you, that could mean people, animals, plants, water, or mother earth. It also holds a personal meaning because it’s also my daughter’s middle name.
How would you describe the type of art you do? What/Who inspired you to start creating?
I use a number of different medians, I draw, paint, sew, and bead. What inspires me to create and learn new forms of mediums is teaching our Native Youth so we can keep our traditions and culture for future generations. For example, I teach my students how to bead, make moccasins, and regalia because a lot of our traditions were lost when we were assimilated.
Can you describe your creative process? Where do you find inspiration?
My creative process really comes from my students, they are constantly pushing me to learn new traditional artforms. They want to make belts for their powwow regalia so I have to learn so they can. When I am doing art for myself my inspiration comes from my culture, community, and my traditional teachings.
What’s your favorite thing about being an artist? How do you feel while you’re creating your art?
My favorite thing about art is how diverse it is, and personal it can be. Art can take so many different forms, and it can be interpreted in so many different ways, its can reflect culture, society, emotions, perspective… it’s alive and it is constantly evolving. When I create Art it makes me feel connected to my people, to our past and to our future because I’m teaching to my students, who will in turn teach it to future generations.
What made you want to collaborate with Minnetonka? What do you hope the outcome of this collaboration is?
I wanted to collaborate with Minnetonka because of the commitment the company has made to honoring and investing in Native American communities. For collaborating with Native Artists and working together for authentic Native American designs that the company and the Native community can be proud of.
How are you planning to style your Nizhoni moccasins? What will you wear them with?
Fashion is another form of art and expression, so when I dress I always add a “dash of Nativeness.” So when the Nizhoni mocs come out I plan on wearing them with my jeans, tshirt, beaded earrings or my ribbon skirts. You can wear them with anything.
How do you want people to feel while wearing the Nizhoni design?
Fashion The design is literally and figuratively means "Walking in Beauty". There is a Navajo Blessing that translates to:
"In beauty I walk
With beauty before me I walk
With beauty behind me I walk
With beauty above me I walk
With beauty around me I walk
It has become beauty again"
It's a reminder to respect the world around, this includes people, animals, mother earth, etc...
In honor of this launch, and our ongoing commitment to the Native American community, Minnetonka will be donating to the Anishinaabe Leaders of Tomorrow within the Onamia Public School.
To learn more about Minnetonka’s Commitment to the Native American Community, please visit this link.
