Danielle SeeWalker is a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Born in Bismarck, North Dakota, her family moved to Philadelphia during her teen years. The abrupt cultural shift she experienced when relocating from the Great Plains region to the East Coast resulted in a self-described “identity crisis” that lasted until her mid-twenties. Through her studies in anthropology and sociology at Kutztown University, as well as deeper conversations about identity and culture with her professors and peers, SeeWalker came to embrace her heritage. Since then, her art has become a method of healing as she blends her native ancestry with contemporary issues. 

A self-taught artist, SeeWalker combines art and activism in her work to address the cycles of poverty and mental health issues faced by Indigenous people. Her exhibition at Philadelphia International Airport depicts commodity foods that were provided by the U.S. Government during the time when Native American communities were forced onto reservations. The tribes had only eaten dried, hunted meat and other fresh food prior to this and were no longer able to sustain the diets to which they were accustomed. Canned meats, boxed cheese, flour, sugar, and unhealthy fats became their main sources of food. This highly processed diet is thought to be the cause of the serious medical conditions Native Americans face, including some of the highest rates of diabetes in the country.

By reimagining the bland, black & white food labels in a vivid color palette which she then juxtaposes onto rawhide drumheads, SeeWalker alludes to the pejorative stereotypes attributed to Indigenous people. “What I find most interesting (and the focus of this series) is the very simplistic food labels with basic drawings... they didn’t think Indians were smart enough to read.” However, SeeWalker ultimately views her work as inspirational and being represented in the arts is critical to that mission. She says, "I could sit here and dwell upon it and let it ruin me, or I can say, 'I acknowledge that this happened, but I don't have to let this define me'… (there are) all of these great things that Native people are doing. We're still here and there's a reason we're still here."

For more info, visit:
seewalker.com
Danielle SeeWalker – Paradigm Gallery + Studio