We Are On Native Land
2026
Cast Iron
As a Diné artist studying at Alfred University , I have been thinking about the relationship between home, land, and the places where we make our work. Being Indigenous does not make all Native homelands interchangeable. While I carry my connection to the Southwest with me, I am also learning about the Seneca ancestral land where I am continuing my education.
The words WE ARE ON NATIVE LAND emerged from these reflections. During the iron pour, the letters appeared in glowing, molten metal before cooling into solid forms. The transformation gives physical weight to a statement that is easy to overlook in everyday life.
Alfred University acknowledges the Seneca ancestral land on its website, but I wanted to bring that acknowledgment into the physical space of the art school. For me, this work is about visibility, responsibility, and the ongoing relationships between people and the lands where we live, work, and create. I’m so grateful to my friends and the Alfred community who came together to pour iron with me during the annual Ring of Fire event. A special thank you to Professor Coral Lambert for her support and encouragement!