Indigenous jewelry designers are making a splash in the fashion world with their beautiful and unique pieces that showcase their cultural heritage. From traditional beadwork to modern designs, these designers are bringing a new perspective to the world of jewelry and fashion.

Here is our list of nine Indigenous Jewelry designers making an impact with their work.

Jamie Okuma

Jamie Okuma, a Luiseño and Shoshone-Bannock artist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Okuma's intricate beadwork and mixed media jewelry have been featured in museums and galleries around the world. Her pieces are inspired by her Native American heritage and often feature traditional designs and symbols.

Sapling & Flint

Sapling & Flint is a jewelry manufacturer owned by Mohawk Nations sister, Teyotsihstokwáthe Dakota Brant & Yonenyà:kenht Jesse Brant. Sapling & Flint produces hand-crafted silver and gold jewelry that feature traditional Mohawk designs. The pieces are a beautiful mix of traditional and modern styles, making them perfect for any occasion

David Neel

A Northwest Coast Indian artist for 30 years, David Neel works in a variety of media, including: carving, jewelry, photography and print-making. He works with cedar, alder, gold, silver and platinum to create Pacific Native art that reflects the rich cultural heritage of his people, the Kwakiutl First Nation of Vancouver Island, Canada. This website allows you to browse both his Native Indian jewelry and art.

Keri Ataumbi

Raised on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, Keri Ataumbi was exposed to both traditional Native American aesthetics and contemporary art theory and practice from an early age. Her Kiowa mother ran a trading post and her Italian-American father is famous for his bronze sculptures. Ataumbi and her sister were encouraged to pursue their individual interests in art.

Kristina Cardinal

Kristina Cardina is from Saddle Lake Cree Nation. She began her beading journey at thirteen-years old beading pieces for her pow-wow regalia. Twenty years later she has practiced and perfected her craft. Today she creates custom made designs that you can order through her website.

Greg Lewis

Greg Lewis was born and raised in Richmond, California, and moved to the small village of Paguate in 1979. Paguate is one of six villages on the Laguna Pueblo Reservation and is the birthplace of Greg’s grandmother and father. Greg’s artwork is greatly influenced by his grandfather who retired in 1982 after 60 years of silversmithing. You can find some of Greg’s work at the Four Winds Gallery.

Helen Oro

Helen Oro, Designer/Owner of Helen Oro Designs (HOD) is from the Pelican Lake First Nation band. She is recognized as an International designer and entrepreneur making waves in the fashion industry. In 2016, ELLE Canada named her top 4 Sask Designers to look out for. In 2017, FLARE added her to one of their biggest articles #HowIMadeIt 100 cool women with cool jobs. In 2018, Helen was added to the "Woman of the Year" gallery by Chatelaine Magazine for her work in Indigenous fashion.

Lehi ThunderVoice Eagle Sanchez

Sanchez is a jewelry maker and artist who creates pieces that reflect his Diné and Apache heritage. Lehi started his company after realizing the damaging effects of fast fashion and how things are wasted and damaged along the way. He set out with a desire to clothe people in dignity and reclaim what already exists into something beautiful. Over the years he collected materials, leathers, old vintage shirts, and coins. These tattered and second-hand elements are curated to make the vast aesthetic array of ThunderVoice Eagle Co. hats, jewelry, and apparel.

Jennifer Curtis

Born in Keams Canyon, Arizona, in 1964 and raised on a remote area of the Navajo reservation, Jennifer Curtis, the daughter of famed silversmith Thomas Curtis, began playing around in her father’s studio at the age of eight. The graceful tenacity of her work reflects her personal fortitude, illuminating the wearer with a reminder of their own unique courage and inner power. Learn more about her work at Four Winds Gallery.