itsooaakii

Evelyn Mikayla Martin (Itsooaakii) [Blackfeet Tribe of Montana, Squamish, Comanche, and Filipina] is a visual artist and curator that centres and reclaims her own personal narrative regarding cultural identity and reclamation of space as a Blackfeet woman. She creates acclaimed vibrant self-portraits, billboards, and projects of reclamation.

"My body of work consists of multi-media self-portraiture including acrylic on canvas paintings, watercolour drawings, photography, and installation pieces highlighting the complexities of engaging in ancient cultural practices as a Blackfeet woman through a contemporary lens. My artwork reminds Blackfoot women, girls, and Aa’woowaakii (Two-Spirit individuals) that we are more than this inflicted extraction and intergenerational trauma that we face. Prior to colonization and today, we continue to hold pivotal roles in our community that can only be fulfilled by our unique gifts and knowledge. We are still rich in resiliency and all our cultural ways of being.  We deserve to have space held for us where our voices can be centred, and our beauty can be celebrated. I achieve this through my curatorial projects and artwork that visually reflects this experience." 

-Itsooaakii