We recently connected with Jakeli Swimmer and have shared our conversation below.
Jakeli , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resiliency comes from my family and that of my tribal ancestors. I am a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, a group of Cherokees who have remained in our homelands. Despite illegal land theft and forced relocations my ancestors stayed and kept their culture and language alive. Because of their sacrifices I carry that resiliency in everything I do.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an Eastern Band Cherokee artist specifically working as a cartoonist and graphic designer. I am a lifelong artist but started focusing professionally in 2017 after a decade of artistic dormancy. It was during this reignition that I created my social media account Around the Boundary Ink which I made to be a place that tackles issues, commentary, and most importantly laughter through cartoon imagery.
I initially started my art as a way to connect with my tribal community, hence the name Around the Boundary. This was my homage to the fact I do not live on a “reservation” but my actual ancestral homelands which the majority of land holdings reside on the Qualla Boundary.
While I love my art, it is a way to express and connect with my tribal people and the larger Native population.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important were my tribal knowledge, my artistic expression and the ability to utilize laughter in my messaging.
I often value true Native representation and I only achieve that by listening to what has been instilled in me by my Cherokee family and community elders. I am continuously learning and evolving but this is only achieved through thoughtful listening and trying to uplift voices not my own.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle that I face is fighting against complacency and Native representation.
Complacency particularly for me involves situations or issues that continue to plague my tribal people and that of tribal people across the globe. I find when I challenge social norms there is heavy pushback as it creates discomfort but in the right way. A lot of the problem comes from the mentality that “this is how its always been…” but to me, I believe that it does not have to stay that way.
I address this by fighting for change or more directly, reclamation. This involves reclaiming voice, purpose, and understanding through Native-centric values and worldviews. There has to be a de-education on what “Indigenizing” means, which is a buzz term that gets tossed around in a lot in spaces that were never Indigenous to begin with, such as educational and political institutions.
The misunderstanding creates opportunities for the exploitation of Native people as well as giving platforms to “Natives” that agree with said institutions’ agenda. Instead of challenging the status quo, places often do the bare minimum in terms of listening and rebuking calls for action.
Contact Info:
- Website: aroundthebound828.com
- Instagram: @aroundthebound828
- Youtube: @aroundthebound828
Image Credits
Headshot: Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual
