Jonni or “Anj” is a graphic designer, illustrator, and enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. While she longed to tell stories, as an introvert she struggled to find her voice for a number of years.
Then, in 2017, she began selling prints of her Native work at the NAYA Youth Center in Portland, OR. As Cherokee culture is not native to the Pacific Northwest, she often spent that time telling the stories behind the art. With time, it became easier and now she looks forward to shows where she can personally tell the stories. One friend remarked to Jonni that, despite her introvert nature: “You light up. You get good medicine from telling these stories.”
Now, Jonni seeks to share these stories, to inform and educate, and to combat the lack of Native representation or voices seen in media today.
“I want these stories to travel. Too many people don’t know the history of the land or the people who were its first stewards. I do it for my relatives who weren’t allowed to speak their language and tell their own stories for fear of being beaten. I do this for my family who told me these tales and because I want to share this with others.”
Jonni now calls Portland, OR her home, along with her partner and resident land shark/rescue dog, Inola.
https://www.instagram.com/kananeski_/
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