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from the 'gram: native american creatives to follow


A series on awesome Instagram feeds you need to check out





Where television and other mainstream media fails, social media platforms like Instagram may just prevail in breaking down stereotypes. Welcome to From the ‘Gram, an interview series with the individuals bringing cultural identity to life on Instagram.

From design to fitness, Instagram hosts just a slice of the creativity hailing from some of the 567 federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Natives. So, I caught up with four of the dopest Native American creators shifting the narrative, one post a time.



chelsey luger // @Chelswhoelse




Where do you call home?

Phoenix is home now. I just moved here 3 months ago to be with my partner Thosh (we run Well For Culture together). I grew up in North Dakota and most of my family is there, so that’s also home.


What does “the fitness revolution will be indigenized" mean?
It means that people will begin to recognize all of the strength, power and knowledge that comes from both the ancestral lifestyles and contemporary teachings of indigenous people. Our communities (Native American and Indigenous people the world over) are often viewed or stereotyped as either completely primitive, in poor health, or both. The fact is that we’ve got a world of advanced and critical knowledge in the way of health and wellness - it’s stuff that could be beneficial to everybody.


What motivates you to create?
I am motivated by my people. 100 percent. I want to be a positive and respectable representation of my tribes (Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Standing Rock Sioux) and of my family. Everything that I create - whether it’s an article I write, a fitness routine I invent, or a video I produce - is done with the intent of contributing to Native people.



Photo: Thosh Collins


MATIKA WILBUR // @MATIKAWILBUR




Where are you from?

Swinomish and Tulalip, the Salmon People that belong to the tides of the Coast Salish Sea, which is also recognized as The Puget Sound in Washington State.


What is Project 562?

It is a five year documentary project dedicated to photographing over 562 Tribal Nations in The United States, with the primary goal to "change the way we see Native America". Eventually, Project 562 will culminate into a series of exhibitions, books, curricula, website, blog and social media content. By exposing the tenacity and richness of contemporary Native life, Project 562 will educate beyond the stereotypical 19th century image, encouraging a global shift in the consciousness toward Native Americans.


What was the first portrait you remember taking?

I remember taking my cousin Carlina's pregnancy portrait while I was still in high school.


What motivates you to create?

It’s all for my people. Our children need the opportunity to see themselves differently and to imagine a life for themselves that includes equality, justice, hope, beauty, and most importantly, truth.



Photos: Matika Wilbur


steven paul judd // @stevenpauljudd




Where do you call home?
Norman, Oklahoma.


What was the first design you created?
A vintage boxing poster featuring Custer and Sitting Bull. I wanted to learn Photoshop to make a movie poster, so I Googled "cool movie posters tutorials in photoshop" and one of the ones that came up was a vintage boxing poster tutorial. As I was making it, I realized that I didn't have to use their photos, but I could use stuff that interested me.


Which is your 'favorite' or most memorable artwork you have created?
I don't really have a favorite, but one thing that comes to mind was when I drew a Native on a 100 dollar bill and it was shared on social media by Russell Simmons. Andrew Jackson is on the 20 dollar bill and I don't think people realize how horrible and detrimental he was to the Native population, mostly with the Indian Removal Act legalized ethnic cleansing.

What motivates you to create?
I love seeing people’s reaction.





Photos: Courtesy of StevenPaulJudd



BETHANY YELLOWTAIL // @BYELLOWTAIL




Where do you call home?
The Crow and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Nations are my home but i currently reside in Los Angeles, CA


What was your first design?

One of my very first original designs was actually a dress for my best friend. In high school, she had HUGE boobs so when it came time for prom she had a really hard time finding a dress that fit. I remember her breaking down in tears when we went shopping for our prom dresses because she couldn’t find anything, so I hugged her & told her I would make her one. It was a ballroom style dress with black lace and a gold Lamé underlayer. It sounds horrible but to be honest, she was the best dressed belle of the ball on prom night.


​What motivates you to create?

I love where I come from, and I’m proud to be a Northern Cheyenne and Crow woman. I was raised on some of the most culturally rich land that fuels my art. With each collection I become more and more inspired, grounded, and motivated by the teachings, history, and ways of life. I love looking back and at the same time looking forward to see how my own personal evolution as well as my creativity transforms.




Photos: Thosh Collins




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