Danielle SeeWalker: Pow Wow Chow!
A Native American Perspective on Government Food Commodities

On display at PHL International Airport, Terminal B
June 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026

Danielle SeeWalker is a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. Born in Bismarck, North Dakota, her family moved to Philadelphia during her teen years. The abrupt cultural shift she experienced when relocating from the Great Plains region to the East Coast resulted in a self-described “identity crisis” that lasted until her mid-twenties. Through her studies in anthropology and sociology at Kutztown University, as well as deeper conversations about identity and culture with her professors and peers, SeeWalker came to embrace her heritage. Since then, her art has become a method of healing as she blends her native ancestry with contemporary issues. 

A self-taught artist, SeeWalker combines art and activism in her work to address the cycles of poverty and mental health issues faced by Indigenous people. Her exhibition at Philadelphia International Airport depicts commodity foods that were provided by the U.S. Government during the time when Native American communities were forced onto reservations. The tribes had only eaten dried, hunted meat and other fresh food prior to this and were no longer able to sustain the diets to which they were accustomed. Canned meats, boxed cheese, flour, sugar, and unhealthy fats became their main sources of food. This highly processed diet is thought to be the cause of the serious medical conditions Native Americans face, including some of the highest rates of diabetes in the country.

By reimagining the bland, black & white food labels in a vivid color palette which she then juxtaposes onto rawhide drumheads, SeeWalker alludes to the pejorative stereotypes attributed to Indigenous people. “What I find most interesting (and the focus of this series) is the very simplistic food labels with basic drawings... they didn’t think Indians were smart enough to read.” However, SeeWalker ultimately views her work as inspirational and being represented in the arts is critical to that mission. She says, "I could sit here and dwell upon it and let it ruin me, or I can say, 'I acknowledge that this happened, but I don't have to let this define me'… (there are) all of these great things that Native people are doing. We're still here and there's a reason we're still here."

Purchase artwork from the exhibition here

About Danielle SeeWalker

Danielle SeeWalker is a Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation in North Dakota. She is a mother, artist, muralist, writer, curator, activist and businesswoman and is currently based in Denver, Colorado. Her visual artwork often incorporates the use of mixed media and experimentation while incorporating traditional Native American materials, scenes, and messaging. Storytelling is an integral part of her artwork and pays homage to her identity as a Lakȟóta wíŋyaŋ as well as her passion to redirect the narrative to an accurate and insightful representation of contemporary Native America while still acknowledging historical events.

Alongside her work as a visual artist, Danielle is a freelance writer and recently published her first book, titled “Still Here: A Past to Present Insight of Native American People & Culture.” She is also very dedicated to staying connected and involved to the Native American community on the Denver American Indian Commission for the past five years and two-years as Chair. Through her work on the Commission, she has been able to be involved in several pieces of legislation that has directly affected her Native American community – including a law to abolish derogatory Native American mascots in schools (2021) and to create an Office and Liaison for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) investigations (2022 and 2023). Danielle considers herself a “artivist” as she is able to voice many important topics through her artwork but also be boots on the ground to make change happen.

Danielle has also been working on a long-term personal project since 2013 with her long-time friend called The Red Road Project. The focus of the work is to document, through words, photographs, and video, what it means to be Native American in the 21st century by capturing inspiring and positive stories of people and communities within Indian Country. She recently evolved that project into a non-profit organization with a division to provide cultural arts opportunities to Native American people residing in urban areas.

Purchase artwork from the exhibition here