Elisa Harkins

Elisa Harkins is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and dancer of Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) descent. A citizen of the Muscogee Nation, Harkins’ work celebrates Indigenous languages, traditions, and histories through a combination of contemporary and traditional mediums. Her practice encompasses music, video, sculpture, and performance to explore themes of cultural sovereignty, Land Back, and community empowerment. Known for her groundbreaking compositions blending the Cherokee and Muscogee languages with electronic music, Harkins also revitalizes traditional songs and hymns, ensuring their continuation for future generations. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, performances, and collaborations, including the upcoming Wampum / ᎠᏕᎳ ᏗᎦᎫᏗ project at the MCA Chicago, supported by the First People’s Fund 2025 Native Performing Arts Production Grant.