Land back & mālama ʻāina
Connecting with nature and caring for the environment also means respecting the sovereignty of the land’s original inhabitants and caretakers, with intention to see the land returned. Most of my paintings are inspired by Highland Park (where I live now) and Mānoa (where I grew up), so I want to highlight some ways to give back here. I’m still learning and welcome thoughts about how settler/immigrant artists can work in ways that honor indigenous people and move us all closer to equity and reciprocity.

The Tongva, Kizh, Tataviam, and Chumash Peoples are the original inhabitants and caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles). If you are also a guest in this beautiful place, please consider joining me in making Kuuy Nahwá’a (voluntary guest exchange contribution) via the Tongva Taraxat Paxaavxa Conservancy, a Tongva-led organization dedicated to stewarding the land and uplifting culture.

In Hawai‘i, the descendants of the original inhabitants are Kānaka Maoli, who continue to care for the land and generously share Hawaiian culture and ancestral knowledge. Please join in supporting Hawaiian organizations that are protecting Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources, such as Hawai‘i Land Trust.