Visual Storytelling Inspired By My Journey

She:kon relatives.  I am a multi-racial woman, with Indigenous, European, and Black ancestry.  As a Creativepreneur, Author and visionary Artist, who offers innovative services which include freelance writing, multidisciplinary Art, design, photography and more.   I am currently working on several projects and I am open to creating pieces for you or collaborate on a project.

I am a descendant from my Grandmother Grace’s side, and honor my Great Grandfather Greywolf of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) of the Kahnawà:ke First Nation Territory of the St. Lawrence River Region in Canada and connects to relatives within the St. Regis Territory of New York, as well as honor my Great Grandma Hannah who was a Native and Black, and her Mom who was Onöndowa'ga:' (Seneca) from the Allegany Reservation in Cattaraugus County, New York and her Dad was Ndé Kónitsąąíí Gokíyaa (Lipan Apache) from Texas/Mexico who were forced to relocate to Oklahoma. I am proud of my rich cultural heritage offers a unique perspective of living in “both worlds” as I often feel. 

I grew up in a multi-generational family, with my Grandma as the Matriarch, my Mom would later become a single mother, my little sister who is four years younger and I am the oldest daughter. I witnessed the complexities of women and the challenges that each of them faced, and how they persevered and overcame. We were economically poor but we were rich in other areas, and despite the challenges and dysfunction at times, this was how love, compassion, courage and resilience were taught to me. I am looking to continue my efforts within our community.

I learned traditions passed down from my Grams, along with Community Elders and members in communities where I have lived in California.  My Grams gave me the name of Thunderfoot, when I was a baby and later on, many would call me Ker Bear.  Both names are interesting because I was born in the Spring, and the Thunder wakes up Bears from hibernation. Bears also symbolize protection, courage and medicine, and my Grams always believed that I would do great things in my life.  I now publicly embrace my traditional name of Ker Bear Thunderfoot; and I introduce myself in spaces where I am actively involved in our intertribal Indigenous gatherings, and empower our relatives to relearn our traditions,  while we collaborate and innovate together for our future infinite 7 generations.