Meet Marique Moss

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marique Moss a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marique, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

As an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and African American, this unique blend is often called Afro Indigenous. I have often been the only one in the room who looks like me, from Catholic school to higher education to executive leadership. I have learned that what makes me different is also what makes me effective. I carry the teachings and strength of my communities wherever I go, which keeps me grounded in spaces that were not built for people like me. My worldview is shaped by both Indigenous and Black experiences. I was taught how to move within Western culture while staying true to my roots, and that balance has become a superpower. I see the world through Native and African traditions while understanding the systems around me, which allows me to bridge perspectives and lead with awareness.
My voice and lived experience guide how I show up. I lead by listening, by creating space for others to feel seen, and by centering authenticity in every setting. Even when I am the only one in the room, I walk in with my ancestors, my education, and my community, and that is where my strength and success come from.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am an Afro Indigenous author, educator, and cultural consultant from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and African American. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Native American and Indigenous Studies from Fort Lewis College and a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma. My work focuses on bringing culture, art, and healing together through education and community connection, and is grounded in policy and history.

I co-own Mashkiki Studios, a creative, educational, and apothecary studio that blends traditional plant medicine with art and cultural learning. We host workshops like tea blending, candle making, cedar pendant crafting, herbal salve creation, storytelling circles, and bear fat rendering. Our goal is to help people reconnect to land and tradition while learning through hands-on experiences and to give them access to teachings and material they might not have access to or did not learn in school.

As cultural consultants, we work with schools, nonprofits, and institutions to build culturally grounded programs and training that center Indigenous and Afro Indigenous knowledge. This includes developing curriculum, advising on equity and inclusion strategies, designing land-based learning experiences, and helping organizations respectfully engage with Native communities. Our consulting often bridges art, education, and cultural understanding, creating spaces where both students and educators can grow in awareness and connection. Some of our recent collaborations include the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Minnesota Historical Society.

As an author, I intentionally release my books on days that honor my identity and culture. Sweetgrass and Soul Food: A Memoir in Poems was released on Juneteenth, and its companion journal Sweetgrass and Soul Work came out the next day on the summer solstice. My children’s picture book My Afro Indigenous Superpower was announced on November 1, the start of Native American Heritage Month, and will be published on February 1, 2026, marking the first day of Black History Month.

Outside of work, I love foraging, visiting farmers markets, exploring new herbal blends for wellness, traveling, and writing poetry. These moments remind me to slow down, stay curious, and stay connected to the land and people who shape everything I do.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

When I look back, the three things that have really shaped my journey are self awareness, adaptability, and being culturally grounded. Self awareness has been huge for me. It helps me check in with myself, understand what I value, and stay aligned with my purpose no matter where I am. For anyone just starting out, I’d say take time to reflect and really get to know who you are. That inner work makes everything else clearer. Adaptability has also played a big role. Every space I’ve been in has looked and felt different, and learning how to adjust without losing myself has been important. Stay open, stay curious, and remember that growth usually comes when you step outside what’s comfortable. And being culturally grounded keeps me steady. It reminds me that my work isn’t just about me it’s about the people and communities that made me. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to stay connected to where you come from and who you come from. That connection will always bring you back to what matters most.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

This past year has been such a season of growth. Mashkiki Studios has really evolved into something special, a creative, educational, and apothecary studio that is deeply rooted in community. We have had the chance to lead professional developments on cultural safety, host workshops, and collaborate with amazing organizations on projects that blend art, culture, and healing. In August, we celebrated our grand opening, which felt like a full circle moment. Having our own space has opened new doors for us, including the opportunity to hire cultural apprentices who can learn our teachings and practices right here in the studio. It has been powerful to watch new learners step into this work and see how it continues to grow. We are happily busy and thriving, whether it is setting up at a pop up, walking someone through our apothecary, leading a workshop, or attending community events. Our work is heart work. The word Mashkiki means medicine in the Anishinaabe language, and that is what this feels like, medicine through creativity, culture, and connection.This year has taught me that growth is not only about expansion. It is about impact, relationships, and staying true to your purpose. Watching the studio grow while staying grounded in community has been one of the most meaningful parts of this journey.

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