My work reclaims and explores Salish art and my ancestry through contemporary artistic expression, integrating traditional Indigenous aesthetics with personal narratives. By weaving together elements of Salish visual language, material culture, and storytelling, I investigate identity, the disconnection from my family’s culture, and the ways Indigenous art is represented in the greater scope of media. My practice is both an homage to my Sinixt heritage and a response to the grief of a life I never had, using art as a means of reclamation and cultural continuity. 

     Working primarily in painting and mixed media, I explore the visual and symbolic traditions of Salish art, reinterpreting them in ways that reflect my lived experience and personal connection to my heritage. My use of composite art reflects the intricate patterns and symbolism found in traditional Salish weaving, carving, and graphics while also incorporating contemporary methodologies that allow for new forms of storytelling. Figural representation plays an essential role in my practice, serving as both inspiration and subject matter. I draw from the organic rhythms of nature, exploring how place and belonging are deeply embedded in cultural identity.

     My work is influenced by Indigenous artists who navigate the balance between tradition and innovation, such as Simone Diamond, whose approach to recontextualizing ancestral art has informed my own process. I also find inspiration in Indigenous futurism and the ways in which it envisions a resilient and evolving cultural identity. A notable example of this exploration is I Dream of Dancing, where a heavy reliance on positive and negative space and symbolism explores an inner need and desire to participate in my traditional culture and to bridge historical narratives with personal and collective identity. By incorporating ancestral imagery alongside contemporary elements, I create pieces that serve as both a remembrance of the past and a vision for the future.

     Through this artistic practice, I aim to ensure the survival of Salish art tradition and educate viewers on the importance of cultural identity. My current body of work, Of The Lakes, delves into themes of belonging, resilience, and the grief of disconnection. Moving forward, I am developing new works that further expand on these themes, incorporating collaborative storytelling to strengthen cultural ties and celebrate Indigenous presence. My ongoing projects seek to create spaces where traditional knowledge and contemporary expression coexist, ensuring that the visual language of the Sinixt and Salish peoples continues to thrive.