Honoring Heritage, Fostering Success
Earlier this month, we unveiled the 2024 cohort of Cultural Capital (CC) and Artist in Business Leadership (ABL) fellows, marking another significant milestone in the ongoing celebration of Indigenous culture and the promotion of creative artistic expression. This is the beginning of a transformative year for 38 individuals, each hoping to leave a lasting impact on their communities.
Within this cohort, the depth of Indigenous artistry knows no bounds, showcasing the rich diversity of creative expression across various mediums. From traditional practices passed down through generations to innovative approaches that push the boundaries of artistic innovation, these fellows embody the spirit of cultural preservation and entrepreneurial excellence.
“Without this opportunity, it would take me a couple of years to try and acquire the tools that I need,”...“This opportunity is going to help me fulfill that transition I need, with equipment that I'll need.” - Leah Mata Fragua (Tak Tityu Tityu Northern Chumash), 2024 ABL Fellow
Artist in Business Leadership
“Without this opportunity, it would take me a couple of years to try and acquire the tools that I need,” says Leah Mata Fragua (Tak Tityu Tityu Northern Chumash), a diverse artist and a 2024 ABL fellow, “This opportunity is going to help me fulfill that transition I need, with equipment that I'll need.”
Ranging in art forms from basketry, regalia, jewelry, and sculptural papermaking, Fragua intends to use the fellowship to buy the tools that will help speed up her process.
“Most of my mediums are physically demanding and I want to prepare as I get older. [I need] to be able to take care of my body and not overwork it in a harmful way,” says Fragua.
The Artist in Business Leadership Fellowship brings together visionaries bridging the gap between artistry and entrepreneurship. This year, 16 fellows will create captivating art and demonstrate the skill to navigate their businesses, ensuring their work has a lasting impact.
Steven Arrowtopknot (Blackfeet Nation), another ABL Fellow has traveled across the country singing with different pow-wow groups and round dance groups. It wasn’t until 15 years ago that he started to get into recording music.
“Thanks to the fellowship, because it advances everything by years,” Arrowtopknot says, “it's going to allow me to work faster and create a higher quality of music for the people I work with. And that's exciting because we don't have a lot of options, especially Native-run options for opportunities.”
Arrowtopknot plans to use the fellowship funds to buy high-quality equipment to help record an album, such as preamps, microphones, and a bus processor. “Any money I get goes right back into purchasing more stuff, to make it sound cooler, and to make it higher quality, and to push our music out further.”
Cultural Capital
In parallel to the ABL Fellowship, The Cultural Capital Fellowship recognizes commitment to Collective Spirit and preserving Indigenous art and culture. In 2024, the Cultural Capital Fellowship comprises 12 individuals who are dedicated to maintaining generosity, wisdom, and integrity through community-based and cultural preservation projects.
“I want to capture the unique dynamic stories of Indigenous people and underscore that we're not a monolith. There's so much diversity and multifaceted stories in our communities that we could spend a lifetime capturing these stories and never get to the end,” - Tai Simpson (Nimiipuu), 2024 CC Fellow
“I want to capture the unique dynamic stories of Indigenous people and underscore that we're not a monolith. There's so much diversity and multifaceted stories in our communities that we could spend a lifetime capturing these stories and never get to the end,” says Tai Simpson (Nimiipuu Nation), storyteller and CC Fellow.
Drawing from her experience as both a storyteller and an anti-violence advocate, Simpson emphasizes the importance of sharing stories that remove shame, inspire bravery, and foster resilience. Through her craft, she seeks to honor elders' wisdom and celebrate Indigenous traditions' richness, inviting others to celebrate old ways while allowing new voices to emerge.
“Tell me the story of your name. Tell me the story of your land. And tell me the story of your people. There's always such deep magic and connection in the stories that follow those prompts that lend themselves to much deeper, vibrant stories about how we engage with the land, who we are in relation to our name and our people whom we want to be who we want our descendants to be,” says Simpson.
In a landscape where Indigenous perspectives are frequently sidelined, First Peoples Fund is dedicated to uplifting and empowering these individuals and stands as a catalyst for progress. The 2024 fellowship cohort emerges as a powerful convergence of tradition and innovation, poised to forge a legacy that resonates across generations.
