From the Artists - Edd Sisters:This space at our hotel in Albuquerque embodies Diné traditions of storytelling particularly in the creation story and epistemological beliefs, incorporating three fundamental elements of the land/earth, rainbows, and several motifs of Navajo storytelling. Informed by ongoing movements of Indigenous resurgence, we have centered the land and Diné cosmology on the center wall. We have thoughtfully portrayed images of Mother Earth (Nahasdzaan Nihima) which has a significant role in our Diné practice of kinship (K'é) in the central depiction of the galaxy and stars with Diné Bikéyah (homeland) below. In this illustration, we included in the top section, four-star constellations that represent each of the artists. The moon/ tł’éé’honaa’éí figure is from Navajo astrology which is important in certain ceremonies and represents various cycles of life. This wall both shares and carries the knowledge of the Navajo place and being in the Fourth World from the creation story. In sharing this knowledge, with hopeful intentions for our viewers, we have used the rainbow as the central symbol that emerges from this center image to guide the rest of the room. The rainbow empowers Indigenous woman storytellers and reminds us of the many lessons our land and our stories have for us.

On the left wall, we have depicted a desert landscape illustrating the setting of Shiprock, New Mexico, where we have family connections. This landscape responds to the land and non-human world by showing the hummingbird, yucca, and cacti plant life, reinventing the context of 'reservation' that speaks to the humanity and empowerment of the land and animals.

The right wall features a lighthearted image of a rez dog mother and her puppies. This aims to bring the seemingly ordinary or commonplace narratives like rez dogs having dinner, into the forefront. In the bathroom area, we have rendered mixed mediums together to include motifs of sheep and horny toads which have special roles in our cultural stories. These images are our realities as contemporary Native youth and show our world. In our art, we hope to uplift joy and spark imagination for the viewers.

‍About the Edd Sisters:The Edd sisters are Diné artists who live Dibe' Ntsaa' and annually participate in the Santa Fe Indian Market.

‍Ruthie: In her work, Ruthie incorporates dialogues of environmental justice, food justice, and decolonization to re-frame how visual and literary art interacts together as forms of resistance. Transnational and global awareness of indigeneity is her primary source of inspiration. She is a student at Fort Lewis college, studying Native American and Indigenous studies.

Sierra: Sierra is a Navajo poet, filmmaker, and artist. Her artwork has been featured in Native Re-Appropriations Exhibit Opening at the Center for the study of Race and Ethnicity in America at Brown University (2015-16). Her poetry work has also been included in the AsUs online journal as well The Round, a college literary publication.

‍Chamisa: In addition to her interest in filmmaking, Chamisa is a Diné artist who draws upon her identity as a Navajo woman in contemporary society. Her inspirations are Japanese graphic art styles, and the intersections of urban life as a Native person, and cultural significance of land.

‍Santana: Santana writes poetry, and creates paintings using her lived experiences as a platform for conveying the influences of social issues confronting Native American youth today. Some of her art references the work done by Frida Kahlo, combining conversation of the body, mind and gender.