{"id":135741,"date":"2025-04-17T09:25:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/?p=135741"},"modified":"2025-04-17T09:25:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:25:38","slug":"cronkite-news-native-collective-fosters-creativity-among-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2025\/04\/17\/cronkite-news-native-collective-fosters-creativity-among-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Cronkite News: Native collective fosters creativity among youth"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Homeland\"<\/a>
\u201cThe culture that we represent and the communities that we represent are so beautiful to me, \u2026 the more that we can showcase that through any type of Indigenous expression is a plus,\u201d Ty LodgePole says at Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program\u2019s career expo on April 12, 2025. Photo by Brandelyn Clark \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n
Making their mark: How Homeland prints Indigenous identity into youth spaces<\/div>\r\n
Thursday, April 17, 2025<\/div>\r\n
By Brandelyn Clark<\/div>\r\n
Cronkite News<\/DIV>\r\n
cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A><\/DIV>\r\n

<\/P>\r\nPHOENIX — In a crowded auditorium, a group of Indigenous students stood shoulder to shoulder, eagerly waiting their turn to have their clothes screen printed by Homeland<\/a>. The Native-led creative brand blends culture, music, fashion and community through hands-on workshops and cross-brand collaborations.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nHomeland has become a growing pillar of cultural enrichment for Indigenous youths across Arizona in light of recent executive actions from President Donald Trump that aim to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nOn Saturday, during the Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program\u2019s career expo, Homeland hosted a live screen printing workshop. Students learned how to create their own wearable art while hearing stories from Homeland\u2019s founders about life as Indigenous creatives. For many, it was a glimpse into what\u2019s possible.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nKayana Tsosie, a member of the Navajo Nation, a senior at Camelback High School and Miss Indian PXU 2024-25, left the event with more than a T-shirt; she left with a sense of belonging.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nHer shirt, printed with Homeland\u2019s special event design, read \u201cSKO GET JOB DEN,\u201d a nod to Native slang meaning \u201clet\u2019s get a job then\u201d and a rallying cry for students aiming to get their foot in the door of professional industries.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIt just shows how our Native communities can go out and represent ourselves, even though we don\u2019t get the resources,\u201d Tsosie said. \u201cHomeland found their own resources that they could provide for (us) \u2026 to put out a positive impact and kept telling us school was important and we have a future for ourselves if we really try.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nHomeland\u2019s visibility in youth spaces like this aims to serve as a reminder that creativity can be a path to empowerment. By showing up and sharing their stories, Homeland\u2019s founders say they are trying to position themselves as role models.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThey encourage students to build confidence and recognize that power can exist in many forms, whether on a canvas, on a shirt or in a story.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nJaron Roanhorse, a member of Homeland and the Navajo Nation, said what drew him into the collective and continues to resonate with students in the group\u2019s workshops is the power of representation. Seeing someone from his community living creatively and confidently shifted the scope of what he believed was possible.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIt was super cool to see someone that\u2019s from my community, they\u2019re traveling all over the world doing just creative stuff. I would say that was a big inspiration for me. It made me think, \u2018We\u2019re from the same community, who\u2019s to say that I can\u2019t do that as well?\u2019\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nRoanhorse now works behind the scenes doing photo and video for Homeland.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThe whole goal was, for me personally, is to inspire \u2026 young brown kids,\u201d Roanhorse said. \u201cAll it takes is hard work and staying focused so they could also be in these positions.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\n \"Homeland\"<\/a>

Homeland members stand behind a table at the Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program\u2019s career expo on April 12, 2025. From left, Ryan Allison, Jorge Gonzalez, Ty LodgePole and Maryenn LodgePole described their brand journey and the screen printing process before high school students create their own products. Photo by Brandelyn Clark \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>

<\/P>\r\n

Phoenix Indian Center youth programming<\/div>\r\nIn January, Homeland partnered with the Phoenix Indian Center and its Future Inspired Native American Leaders (F.I.N.A.L.) Youth Council to lead a screen printing workshop that combined creativity with community education.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nStudents on the council were invited to submit their own T-shirt designs, with Homeland selecting one to print and share with the group.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nA design by Ciera Toledo, a member of the Navajo Nation and participant on the youth council, was chosen for the workshop. The experience left her feeling empowered, knowing that her artwork would be worn by her peers.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWhen we\u2019re screen printing our T-shirts, I remember everybody was huddled up. They were excited, and we started mingling. \u2026 They loved the creativity that was involved because they never got an opportunity to screen print. They\u2019re glad they got to take something home with them,\u201d Toledo said.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThe workshop served as an opportunity for Indigenous students to create something that represented their culture. This reflection incited a flurry of designs as students raced to express their tribal identities.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cCulture is medicine,\u201d Toledo said, noting Homeland had inspired her to intertwine her artistic ventures with her Native culture. \u201cAs Indigenous youth, we\u2019re told \u2018no\u2019 often. \u2026 So it was really nice and good to hear from an older Indigenous artist. They taught me a lot, mainly to be proud and to represent.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nPhoenix Indian Center\u2019s youth programming aims to reconnect teenagers with their tribal heritage. Bel\u00e9n Santistevan, youth development program manager, and C\u030cante\u0301 Zephier, a prevention specialist, help facilitate safe, intentional spaces for Indigenous youths in Phoenix. Santistevan is a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and Zephier is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Navajo Nation.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cHere in the city, a lot of them are very much disconnected from their culture. \u2026 This idea of being connected to culture and being connected to other Native youth is something they are seeking out,\u201d Zephier said. \u201cI have repeatedly emphasized with the kids that their voice is important and that it matters. A lot of times, people forget or don\u2019t acknowledge that kids and youth \u2026 are an oppressed group in our society.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nAs DEI initiatives and funding for Indigenous colleges and youth programs are under threat by the Trump administration, Homeland, Phoenix Indian Center and other cultural spaces are urging students to create a community and band together during this uncertain time.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cA lot of them had created bonds with other students who are not a part of the youth council. They were able to get to know each other a little bit more and feel like they had a place of community,\u201d Santistevan said.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nThat sense of belonging deepened once the students were introduced to Homeland.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThey met Homeland, and they saw this really cool Native collective. All the kids were like, \u2018Oh my God,\u2019\u201d Santistevan said. \u201cIt was really beautiful for them to be involved in every step of the (screen printing) process and see, \u2018Oh, I can do this, I have the power to do this.\u2019\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nAccording to the nonprofit Aspen Institute, Native youths who feel culturally educated are four times more likely to view themselves as capable of creating an impact than those who do not.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nFor Indigenous youth who grow up without representation in creative or academic spaces, that visibility can be a life-changing experience. It serves as a reminder that they\u2019re not alone.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cNative people are not going away,\u201d Santistevan said, noting that over the course of history, Native peoples have battled cultural erasure. \u201cIt\u2019s important to lift them up and to empower them to be proud of who they are, to continue advocating on behalf of their people.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\"Homeland\"<\/a>

The Homeland screen printed design for the career expo pays homage to Native slang word Skoden, meaning \u201clet\u2019s go then.\u201d The design appeared on tote bags and T-shirts at Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program\u2019s career expo on April 12, 2025. Photo by Brandelyn Clark \/ Cronkite News<\/figcaption>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

Homeland\u2019s origins<\/div>\r\nHomeland is born out of Phoenix and the Navajo Nation. Founded in 2023, creators from various tribal nations have expanded from a performance group to an all-around collective that aims to be a hub for Indigenous visionary expression.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nFrom streetwear to school workshops, Homeland members aim to be mentors for a younger generation.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWe didn\u2019t have this type of connection with our older groups,\u201d said Jorge Gonzales, who is Pima \u2013 also known as the Akimel O\u2019Odham \u2013 and a founding member of Homeland. \u201cWe want to make that type of connection with the kids and to tell them there\u2019s so much more that they can do with their future \u2013 to make it something that you love.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nHomeland\u2019s mission is rooted in youth empowerment and cultural pride. From organizing a toy drive for Hogan Hozhoni, an emergency child care home on the Navajo Nation, to designing hats that commemorate reservation schools through their colors, the group\u2019s work goes beyond fashion to inspire a movement.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cPeople still think we live in teepees and we\u2019re off the grid, so to speak, and it\u2019s just more than that whole narrative. The main goal in Homeland \u2026 is to bring in more of our works and to have more eyes open,\u201d Gonzales said.\r\n

<\/P>\r\nTy LodgePole of the Navajo Nation is the founder of Homeland. With a deep commitment to uplifting Native voices and challenging barriers in underrepresented industries, LodgePole blends inspiration and purpose as a fashion designer. He uses his platform to show the strength of resilience and the need to carve out spaces where Indigenous people can shine.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThere\u2019s nothing more fun than doing what you love to do, with your friends and having some type of intention and purpose behind it. \u2026 Growing up, I never had anybody that looked like me in the places that I wanted to be, such as the fashion industry. A lot of these spaces are very non-colored, non-brown,\u201d LodgePole said. \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful time to be able to look like us.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nBeyond creating physical art and fashion, Homeland aims to navigate spaces that historically alienate minorities and challenge harmful rhetoric against Native communities.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cIt just feels like another day in America. We\u2019re just trying to continue to just be loud and proud of who we are and what we represent as Indigenous people,\u201d LodgePole said. \u201cWhat we believe in, is culture and what we believe in, is community. There\u2019s a lot of power in just moving that way.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nFor more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org<\/A>.<\/STRONG>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n

Note: This story originally appeared on Cronkite News<\/a>. It is published via a Creative Commons license<\/A>. Cronkite News is produced by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication<\/A> at Arizona State University<\/A>.<\/EM>
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