Instagram story viewer> @mayada_nayimi> Posts

Xeneca LeClair

@mayada_nayimi

476

followers

1034

following

Artist • Animator • Filmmaker
Proud Auntie Status
Otoe-Missouria
Dm for commissions and bookings!
IAIA 🎓 2024

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

I made various necklaces with cowrie and plastic elk teeth.

Message me if interested in buying.

I was gonna try and sell at Otoe’s winter art market. I stayed home due to low energy and felt really depressed to go out to redrock to sell and missed out on a round dance trip up north too. The stickers may or may not be sold till later. Just wanted to show my designs, haven’t been feeling positive towards my creativity lately. by @mayada_nayimi

17

0

10 months ago

A style I tried so hard to replicate was an aurora with appliqué soaring in the sky. I combined it with other digital drawings I made over the past few years. Some recent more than others, and I wanted to include more. Unfortunately, my computer can only handle so much editing now. This project is rather a few months old now, but I might dabble in projection mapping again in the future. This was projected in dome theatre at IAIA, and my last project. I wish I done more, but depression does end up stopping me from being creative. Luckily, I’m still able to explore my art another way.
#indigenousartist #animation #projectionmapping #dome #nativeamericanart #indigenousexcellence by @mayada_nayimi

20

0

a year ago

Random digital sketch. The other night, I looked up at the sky and begged the star people to take me away. Just been story boarding many animations and getting my sewing orders done. by @mayada_nayimi

8

0

a year ago

🤎🦬🪶📜📚📖
I’m graduating from IAIA this Saturday and am almost finished with my last few assignments. Although I don’t want to continue working on this drawing, I hope I’ve made my late mother proud.

A small part of me is pretty disappointed in myself still, but I still aimed to get my degree even if I have bloody feet from stepping in glass too much.

Congratulations to all the graduates! Over the summer, I’ll be sharing highlights from my time at the institute. I’m still planning on pursuing my business degree, so wish me luck! taken in Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) by @mayada_nayimi

39

5

a year ago

Firstly, I want to apologize for the delay in sharing this announcement. It’s taken longer than I expected, but I’m excited to finally let you know that I’m running for the title of Miss Indian World. I know it’s late, but over the past year, I’ve faced many personal challenges. One of the hardest experiences was nearly being kidnapped while attending AHIEC, which deeply impacted my mental health. As a result, I couldn’t attend many cultural events last year, but a healing trip to Nebraska with my niece helped me reconnect, especially around the five-year anniversary of my mom’s passing.
Studying at IAIA has also made me feel disconnected from my people, but I draw strength from my father and older sister. The trauma I carry has been passed down from my grandparents’ boarding school experiences, from my Pueblo Laguna side to my Otoe-Missouria people. I also honor my mixed heritage—Kiowa, Pueblo Laguna, Ponca, Santee Sioux, Shoshone-Bannock, Iowa, and Omaha, as well as my colonized roots from Spanish, English, French, German, and Italian blood.
If I am chosen as Miss Indian World, I will carry that title with the responsibility of representing all our nations. I aim to uplift the youth, support young adults, and honor our elders. But I also want to be clear: If my victory doesn’t lead to real advocacy, I would consider rejecting the crown. In a time when leadership seeks to undermine our people, we must continue to fight, and my fight is through creative fields. I’m here, and I will be loud and unapologetic in telling our stories. by @mayada_nayimi

138

8

2 years ago

Stickers are located at the @iaia_bookstore on campus!

It’s a lot to make art and sell successfully. I just realized I haven’t uploaded in a while due to returning back to school life this semester. I just wanna start my business! taken in Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) by @mayada_nayimi

51

2

2 years ago

“Lead In Love,”

I made this blanket based on the Faw Faw jackets featured at @metmuseum in glass beads of floral appliqué fighting against colonialism in fashion a hundred years ago. Currently now made with love and honor in my tribe displayed at dances and ceremonies.

I thought of two ideas mixed into one: an honor blanket based on Jiwere-Nut’achi/Otoe-Missouria florals and old jacket and beadwork designs from back then. The Faw Faw jackets, for example, located at the @metmuseum, inspire me to reimagine symbols reminiscent of my ancestors fighting white colonialism in clothing. The way the florals blend into honor blankets and men’s aprons alike is just beautiful. I think about my matriarchs making incredible designs on the fly. The hand, for example, has many meanings, one of which signifies killing an enemy. Today, it represents spreading awareness about our Missing, Murdered, Indigenous relatives.

I represented my clan, the Buffalo/Che, in the piece. My clan represents leaders, and I intend to do that for my nieces and nephews until the next election. We need to remember how our people have fought for freedom and recognition as human beings. Today, Leonard Peltier has been recognized for clemency. The call for action of Anna Mae Aquash is being reignited and many stories alike. Meanwhile, indigenous students of all ages are returning to classes and their communities, moving forward in today’s society. Currently, many people have suffered throughout the year and some have found peace and others are still searching for it. We need to walk in compassion and love, with open arms, even towards our enemies, as we all bleed the same color. All things easier said than done, but who knows.

Warigroxi ki @instacollegefund for hosting this contest many artist have been blessed with this opportunity that is partnered up with @pendletonwm

Even if the company profits off indigenous people creativity. 👀

We still look deadly n sacred in it. 💖

If this design doesn’t make it, then I’ll be pushing this to project for something else.✨

Good luck to all the students who’ve entered the contest! 🪶
#indigenousart #nativeartist #procreate #otoemissouria #digitalart by @mayada_nayimi

28

0

2 years ago

12

0

2 years ago

I was asked earlier last year from @kyla.rachelle to rework a design reminiscent of her mother’s. I started making it based on which colors and tried my best featuring the sunflower and her clan animal. Didn’t go as well the first time, but I was able to rework it into her hair-tie designs she shared with me. I reworked the final design and sent it off!

Smudged it n blessed it, ayyye. 💨

What touched my heart, was being asked and honoring the design. I was even more in my emotions once I heard my name being honored with a basket at Otoe-Missouria summer encampment powwow. I couldn’t dance due working as a PA. Kyla was introduced to the drum and thanked many people and she included me. It’s been amazing seeing her journey enter the drum and seeing her glow n grow. I was her senior at Frontier Public Schools and always laughed n enjoyed the company. There are other concepts I made and did my best achieving her vision. She love the final version! Now, all we got is finishing her complete design. I’m really excited to see the design dancing out in the circle in her beauty. ✨
Gonna lululu extra hard! Warigroxi ki, Hįntąnge! 💖 by @mayada_nayimi

23

1

2 years ago

25

0

2 years ago

“Buh, It Is The Perfect Bread.”

One of my best homies has a film at @skinsfest!
I’m so proud of her, and I got to be the main one who saw the film bts in the making of the film. I remember suggesting to her about bringing a bunch of breads to giveaway during the screening as a joke. Anyway, I hope to see her walking across red carpets with her stories on screens showing worldwide. I’m glad to have met you in this life and her irl bread is good with spam!

#indigenousart #diné #indigenousfilm #womenempowerment #thatsmybestfriend #baah by @mayada_nayimi

23

0

2 years ago

(Repost from my Facebook, but I added in a few more notes.)

When hair is cut, a part of ourselves mourn over the sudden change. And which many tribes cut their hair to be by their deceased relatives/close friend as they continue on in life.

I was inspired by Rachelle Plumley and I fully support her for speaking up for her child that had his hair cut at the school. Later today, AIM is going to Frontier Public Schools to protest for that young boy.

The school didn’t take accountability till after press and the news went everywhere on social media. The school also canceled classes due to the protest as well. I pray that her son is served the justice the right way and the school needs to listen.

Every child matters.

Repeated history happened and it reopened traumas that has affected our tribe today. Our language and our traditions took a big hit due to the response of “Killing the Indian, Save the Man.” I believe the next few generations will do right by us, if we can teach them that and if the school is able to teach about that as well.

I have family that attends the school and they tell me how racist the non-indigenous students and faculty treat them. I’m not saying all, but rather a few that need to be re-educated. If the students have to be pushed with learning about the Bible then they should learn about Oklahoma’s history of indigenous/people of color erasure.

Fortunately, the school has a title IX program that teaches the students tribal sovereignty and have a language class.

I’m just disappointed at the Frontier, and I wish things could’ve been handled better with grace. I wrote out a list of wrongs made by frontier in the past, but I don’t want to be too petty and I was asked to help make a mural or something arts n crafty with the kids. And that’s my whole message, take care of the kids and they will take care of us.

#indigenousart #nativepride #everychildmatters🧡 #americanindianmovement by @mayada_nayimi

50

1

2 years ago