Danielle SeeWalker
Location: 30 Pearl / Boulder Housing Partners Paseo
The mural I completed is of my relative, Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotaka, or also known as Sitting Bull. He was known to be very generous and wise but also a relentless warrior and a symbol of resistance. Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotaka was a holy man and leader of the Húŋkpapȟa Lakota people. He sacrificed many things, including his life, so that generations after him could have a brighter future. Colorado is original homelands of the Ute, Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples but there are approximately 48 additional tribes with historical ties to these lands, including the Lakota people. I wanted to pay homage to my lalá and have his portrait honored in a public space.
Sitting Bull College was built in honor of our great Chief right in the homelands of where he was born and raised on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. This tribal college provides opportunities to Native people on the reservation and offers them access to education, skills and a career path, all while maintaining their Lakota/Dakota values and teachings. Consider donating to this college and support the Lakota people on their path to self-sustainability and success. https://sittingbull.edu/donate-now/
Danielle SeeWalker is Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta and enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota, where she was born & raised. She is an artist, writer, activist, and boymom of two, based in Denver, Colorado. Her visual artwork often incorporates the use of mixed media and experimentation while incorporating traditional Native American materials, scenes, and messaging. Her artwork pays homage to her identity as a Lakȟóta wíŋyaŋ (woman) and her passion to redirect the narrative to an accurate and insightful representation of contemporary Native America while still acknowledging historical events.
Alongside her passion for creating visual art, Danielle is a freelance writer and recently published her first book, titled “Still Here: A Past to Present Insight of Native American People & Culture.” She is also very dedicated to staying connected and involved in her Native community and currently serves as Co-Chair for the Denver American Indian Commission. Danielle has also been working on a personal, passion project since 2013 with her long-time friend called The Red Road Project. The focus of the work is to document, through words and photographs, what it means to be Native American in the 21st century by capturing inspiring and positive stories of people and communities within Indian Country.
