CONSTELLATIONS 2023 PARTICIPATORY AWARDEES

The 2023 Constellations Participatory Awards aimed to resource Artist Disruptors & traditional and tradition-based Culture Bearers in support of their creative work at the intersection of art, culture, and social justice. These thirty amazing Artist Disruptors and traditional and tradition-based Culture Bearers were celebrated through our four participatory awards including Artist Disruptor, Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission, Language, and Cultural Practice and Knowledge. They have been integral to the growth of our initiative and knowledgeable mentors, teaching us about reclaiming our power through community collaboration, liberation strategizing, and traditional practice.

  • Artist Disruptor Awards

    Artist Disruptor awardees were provided direct cash support to advance an ongoing social impact project of a BIPOC Artist Disruptor or Culture Bearer in their community.

  • C. Diaz

    Artist Disruptor
    Rio Grande Valley, TX

    See more of their work here and here.

  • Eva Arreguin

    Artist Disruptor
    Texas

    See more of her work here.

  • Marcy Angeles

    Artist Disruptor
    New Mexico

    See more of her work here and consider purchasing her newly released book!

    ”The Queers Of The Underground” is about queer/trans erasure from rave culture from the Indigenous Trans perspective.

  • Mariquita "Micki" Davis

    Artist Disruptor
    Los Angeles, CA

    See more of her work here.

  • Paige Wood

    Artist Disruptor
    Detroit, MI

    See more of her work here.

  • saylem celeste

    Artist Disruptor
    Detroit, MI

    See more of saylem’s work here.

  • Cultural Knowledge and Practice Awards

    Cultural Knowledge and Practice Awardees were provided direct cash support to traditional and tradition-based Culture Bearers for travel, knowledge exchange, or other “Blue Sky” opportunities including sabbatical, retirement planning, loan repayment, oral history, memoir writing, etc.

  • Dr. R. Candy Tate

    Cultural Knowledge & Practice Awardee
    Georgia

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Heidi Chargualaf Quenga

    Cultural Knowledge & Practice Awardee
    Long Beach, CA

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Thae A Gho Wens Kenneth Wayne Cook

    Cultural Knowledge & Practice Awardee
    Woodridge, NY

    Learn more about his work here.

  • Kerri Ann "Ifit" N. Borja

    Cultural Knowledge & Practice Awardee
    Guåhan

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Kumu Pua Case

    Cultural Knowledge & Practice Awardee
    Waimea, HI

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Schoua Na Yang

    Cultural Knowledge & Practice Awardee
    St. Paul, MN

    Learn more about their work here.

  • Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awards

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awards supported Culture Bearers in their efforts around intergenerational learning and the continuity of their cultural practices.

  • Dr. Anthony Newkirk

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee
    Phoenix, AZ

    Learn more about his work here.

  • Cindi Alvitre

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee
    Garbrielino/Tongva Territories Caifornia

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Dr. Melissa Rosario

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee
    Boriken (Puerto Rico)

    Learn more about their work here and read their recently published book! Beyond Disaster: Building Collective Futures in Puerto Rico, critiques the framework of debt and crisis by examining the psychological, emotional, and spiritual effects of colonialism.

  • Kamuela Meheula

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee
    Kona, HI

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Kellyn Lacour-Conant

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee
    Baton Rouge, LA

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Keya Kessler

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee
    California

  • Chef Mateo Herrera

    Intergenerational Knowledge Transmission Awardee

  • Language Awards

    Language Awards recognized the importance of language as a carrier of culture and pillar of vibrant communities.

    Additional awardees:
    Kupihea Ahukini Romero 
    Makalani Adisa Akinshiju

  • Annauk Denise Olin

    Language Awardee
    Alaska

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Dusty L. Nelson

    Language Awardee
    Pine Ridge, SD

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Giizhigad Bieber

    Language Awardee
    Detroit, MI

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Hāwane Rios

    Language Awardee
    Waimea, HI

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Kainani Kahaunaele

    Language Awardee
    Hilo, HI

    Learn more about her work here.

  • Nā'ilima Gaison

    Language Awardee
    Hilo, HI

    Learn more about his work here.

  • Dr. X̱’unei Lance Twitchell

    Language Awardee
    Juneau, AK

    Learn more about his work here.