Inspired Natives Award - Peep Some Nominees

Eighth Generation is currently seeking nominations for three Inspired Natives Awards! The deadline is November 10th. Until then, we will highlight as many nominees as possible through our online platforms. Today, we are featuring nominees that personify the Eighth Generation spirit through strong community engagement.

Each Inspired Natives Award, which is funded by 5% of blanket sale profits, is $2,500 in unrestricted funds. This award represents one piece of our broad-based effort to be stewards of our Native artist community. The award is distributed in support with our friends at The Evergreen State College Longhouse and The Evergreen State College Foundation.

ROUND 1 - Highlighting Community Engagement

Click on the names of the artists to visit their pages! 

Taylor Moffett

Taylor is a Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) beadwork artist who advocates for people struggling with auto-immune disorders and mental health issues. She has organized virtual beading circles, raffled her art to raise money for organizations like Unist'ot'en Legal Fund and Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network, and established Tradish Trading – an Instragram page that allows Indigenous people to participate in a barter system valuing traditional foods, art, medicines and culture.

Kayla Shaggy

Kayla is a Navajo artist who creates comics, zines, illustrations and 3D art forms inspired by her experience as an Indigenous Two-Spirit person. Along with conducting workshops for Indigenous youth, Kayla organized Indigi-Show, a Kickstarter and virtual art convention for Indigenous speakers and artists to financially help Indigenous creatives during the pandemic.

Keli’i Kaleihua Eli

Keli’i, an individual of Hawaiian descent who belongs to the corn clan, is a second generation self-taught fetish carver and stone sculptor born and raised in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico. He is also pursuing a degree in Dental Hygine, which Keli'i says ironically has tools that go hand in hand with his carving passion. During the pandemic, Keli’i raised over $41,000 for PPE and protective burial gear for his tribe located on a rural reservation.

Arianna Lauren

Arianna is a daughter of Quw'utsun'/Cowichan Tribes who makes health and beauty products with her company, Quw’utsun’ Made. Products such as candles, fragrances and masks are made using ancestral knowledge and Northwest Native plant extracts to preserve Coast Salish traditions. Ariana also worked with Reitmans’ Diversity campaign and designed a shirt that raised $10,000 for Urban Native Youth Association.

Ovila Mailhot

Ovila, part of the Nlaka'pamux / Sto:lo Nation, creates Coast Salish graphic art and designs used for clothing to murals. He also conducts virtual workshops with children where he teaches traditional Coast Salish symbols, graphic design basics and the Halq'eméylem language.

Tayla Fairbanks

Tayla is an Anishinaabe beadwork artist who is part of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and Bear Clan. Whether she’s fighting for equality, educating through social media or working with different charities, Tayla is conscious of her Indigenous roots. A portion of all her sales from her company Akiiwan Beadwork are donated to National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC).