NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Angel Beth Smith is the Creative Services Manager for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in the Public Affairs Department. She was born and raised in Providence and is a proud citizen of the Narragansett Tribe. From a young age, she was determined to become a professional artist and musician. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a concentration in textile design, from Rhode Island School of Design and continued her studies of music theory at Brown University.

Smith is an established Indigenous Artist. After night classes at RISD to perfect her drawing, she secured a working residency with the Turkey Land Cove Foundation to develop The Indigenous Peoples Project. As one who proudly embraces not only her Narragansett heritage but also her sister tribal nations, Smith curates various art exhibits and extends opportunities to other Indigenous artists to display their work.

Smith’s work has been published in the Directory of Illustration as a highlighted Indigenous artist. She also debuted her first solo show in October 2022, The Indigenous Peoples Project: The Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Women, at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Smith’s work continues to be displayed throughout Southern New England and beyond.

PIECES:

Preonna Monique Joy Boyd Cannon

2022

colored pencil on paper

22’ x 23”

 

Stormy Brooke Carter

2022

colored pencil on paper

22’ x 23”

 

Charity Joy Dames

2022

colored pencil on paper

22’ x 23”

 

Erin Lee Hall

2022

colored pencil on paper

22’ x 23”

Robert J Hayward Owner of Little River Wampum, and proud member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, is a skilled Wampum Jeweler with a deep connection to his culture and heritage as a Native American. Embracing his ancestral roots, Robert crafts attractive pieces of jewelry that reflect the rich traditions and stories of his people.

Item 1 – Braided Wampum Necklace

This Beaded Wampum Necklace features authentic wampum beads meticulously hand braided with sinew.

Item 2 – Wampum Necklace with Buffalo bone & Turquoise Beads

This wampum necklace showcases exquisite craftsmanship, combining buffalo bone and turquoise beads to create a stunning piece of jewelry. The buffalo bone adds a touch of natural elegance, while the vibrant turquoise beads add a pop of color and vibrancy.

Tribe: Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Medium: Acrylic Paint, Digital, India Ink, Watercolor

Cherri Williams was born in Mashantucket, Connecticut in 1994 and is a member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. Her interest in art began in high school where she was taking art classes. Eventually, she went on to study at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, North Carolina where she learned how to use digital art resources and hone her skills in fine arts. She graduated with a B.A. in Arts in 2016. Cherri works primarily with acrylics and digital painting but has been known to dabble with India inks and watercolors.

Cherri currently offers postcards and framed prints in the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center in Mashantucket, Connecticut under her studio name, Mimzical Feesh Studios.

Cherri’s paintings have been featured in the NUNOOTAYUNONASH – “Our Baskets” and KUNÂHNEEPAMUSHÂTUNÔNAK – “Our Moons” exhibits in the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. She has also had paintings in the Side by Side art show at the Warwick Center for Fine Arts.

Instagram: @Mimzicalfeesh
Email: Cherriw18@gmail.com

“I want my work to serve as a powerful testament to the resilience, beauty, and creativity of indigenous communities while also providing beautiful and meaningful products to customers.” – Charity Joy Dames

Charity Joy Dames is an indigenous artist and proud member of the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe, in Mashantucket, CT, and is the creative force behind "Creations by Charity Joy." With a passion for preserving and celebrating indigenous traditions, Charity Joy handcrafts a unique range of indigenous goods that blend cultural heritage with contemporary artistry.  She specializes in creating ribbon skirts, dresses, and beaded jewelry.

Each piece is a labor of love, meticulously handcrafted to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future. By supporting "Creations by Charity Joy," you not only acquire unique, one-of-a-kind pieces but also contribute to the preservation of indigenous cultures and the empowerment of Native artists.

Ribbon Skirts are traditional Native American garments often worn by indigenous women for cultural and ceremonial purposes. These skirts are adorned with colorful ribbons and can carry deep cultural significance.

Beadwork is an important and traditional art form in many indigenous cultures it can include a wide range of items such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more, all meticulously crafted with intricate beadwork patterns.

 

Instagram: @creationsbycharityjoy

Facebook: @creationsbycharityjoy

Email: Creationsbycharityjoy@gmail.com