Minnesota artist's work is a form of activism and connection for Native American community

On Saturday afternoon, Marlena Myles sat beneath a canopy next to her artwork at the Spring into Uptown event in Minneapolis. The sun kissed the pavement in a city celebrating the return of warmth at a local expo with a series of multicultural vendors and performers.

Myles, a Native American and self-taught multimedia artist, had on display a collection of her creations, all inspired by her Dakota heritage. There were digital illustrations of tigers and foxes set to illuminated backdrops. There were stickers and keychains. I purchased from her a necklace with a silver buffalo on a pendant with a bright purple background and a glass etching with the Morning Star, a symbol of hope and optimism in Native American tradition.

The St. Paul artist is one of the panelists for Thursday night's Mary Ann Key Book Club event titled, "A Community Discussion of 'An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People,' " which you can register for on the Hennepin County Library website.

https://www.startribune.com/medcalf-minnesota-artists-work-is-a-form-of-activism-and-connection-for-native-american-community/600172119/