“The culture that we represent and the communities that we represent are so beautiful to me, … the more that we can showcase that through any type of Indigenous expression is a plus,” Ty LodgePole says at Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program’s career expo on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Brandelyn Clark/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX – In a crowded auditorium, a group of Indigenous students stood shoulder to shoulder, eagerly waiting their turn to have their clothes screen printed by Homeland. The Native-led creative brand blends culture, music, fashion and community through hands-on workshops and cross-brand collaborations.
Homeland has become a growing pillar of cultural enrichment for Indigenous youths across Arizona in light of recent executive actions from President Donald Trump that aim to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
On Saturday, during the Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program’s career expo, Homeland hosted a live screen printing workshop. Students learned how to create their own wearable art while hearing stories from Homeland’s founders about life as Indigenous creatives. For many, it was a glimpse into what’s possible.
Kayana Tsosie, a member of the Navajo Nation, a senior at Camelback High School and Miss Indian PXU 2024-25, left the event with more than a T-shirt; she left with a sense of belonging.
Her shirt, printed with Homeland’s special event design, read “SKO GET JOB DEN,” a nod to Native slang meaning “let’s get a job then” and a rallying cry for students aiming to get their foot in the door of professional industries.
“It just shows how our Native communities can go out and represent ourselves, even though we don’t get the resources,” Tsosie said. “Homeland found their own resources that they could provide for (us) … to put out a positive impact and kept telling us school was important and we have a future for ourselves if we really try.”
Homeland’s visibility in youth spaces like this aims to serve as a reminder that creativity can be a path to empowerment. By showing up and sharing their stories, Homeland’s founders say they are trying to position themselves as role models.
They encourage students to build confidence and recognize that power can exist in many forms, whether on a canvas, on a shirt or in a story.
Jaron Roanhorse, a member of Homeland and the Navajo Nation, said what drew him into the collective and continues to resonate with students in the group’s workshops is the power of representation. Seeing someone from his community living creatively and confidently shifted the scope of what he believed was possible.
“It was super cool to see someone that’s from my community, they’re traveling all over the world doing just creative stuff. I would say that was a big inspiration for me. It made me think, ‘We’re from the same community, who’s to say that I can’t do that as well?’”
Roanhorse now works behind the scenes doing photo and video for Homeland.
“The whole goal was, for me personally, is to inspire … young brown kids,” Roanhorse said. “All it takes is hard work and staying focused so they could also be in these positions.”
Phoenix Indian Center youth programming
Homeland members stand behind a table at the Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program’s career expo on April 12, 2025. From left, Ryan Allison, Jorge Gonzalez, Ty LodgePole and Maryenn LodgePole described their brand journey and the screen printing process before high school students create their own products. (Photo by Brandelyn Clark/Cronkite News)
In January, Homeland partnered with the Phoenix Indian Center and its Future Inspired Native American Leaders (F.I.N.A.L.) Youth Council to lead a screen printing workshop that combined creativity with community education.
Students on the council were invited to submit their own T-shirt designs, with Homeland selecting one to print and share with the group.
A design by Ciera Toledo, a member of the Navajo Nation and participant on the youth council, was chosen for the workshop. The experience left her feeling empowered, knowing that her artwork would be worn by her peers.
“When we’re screen printing our T-shirts, I remember everybody was huddled up. They were excited, and we started mingling. … They loved the creativity that was involved because they never got an opportunity to screen print. They’re glad they got to take something home with them,” Toledo said.
The workshop served as an opportunity for Indigenous students to create something that represented their culture. This reflection incited a flurry of designs as students raced to express their tribal identities.
“Culture is medicine,” Toledo said, noting Homeland had inspired her to intertwine her artistic ventures with her Native culture. “As Indigenous youth, we’re told ‘no’ often. … So it was really nice and good to hear from an older Indigenous artist. They taught me a lot, mainly to be proud and to represent.”
Phoenix Indian Center’s youth programming aims to reconnect teenagers with their tribal heritage. Belén Santistevan, youth development program manager, and Čanté Zephier, a prevention specialist, help facilitate safe, intentional spaces for Indigenous youths in Phoenix. Santistevan is a member of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and Zephier is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and the Navajo Nation.
“Here in the city, a lot of them are very much disconnected from their culture. … This idea of being connected to culture and being connected to other Native youth is something they are seeking out,” Zephier said. “I have repeatedly emphasized with the kids that their voice is important and that it matters. A lot of times, people forget or don’t acknowledge that kids and youth … are an oppressed group in our society.”
As DEI initiatives and funding for Indigenous colleges and youth programs are under threat by the Trump administration, Homeland, Phoenix Indian Center and other cultural spaces are urging students to create a community and band together during this uncertain time.
“A lot of them had created bonds with other students who are not a part of the youth council. They were able to get to know each other a little bit more and feel like they had a place of community,” Santistevan said.
That sense of belonging deepened once the students were introduced to Homeland.
“They met Homeland, and they saw this really cool Native collective. All the kids were like, ‘Oh my God,’” Santistevan said. “It was really beautiful for them to be involved in every step of the (screen printing) process and see, ‘Oh, I can do this, I have the power to do this.’”
According to the nonprofit Aspen Institute, Native youths who feel culturally educated are four times more likely to view themselves as capable of creating an impact than those who do not.
For Indigenous youth who grow up without representation in creative or academic spaces, that visibility can be a life-changing experience. It serves as a reminder that they’re not alone.
“Native people are not going away,” Santistevan said, noting that over the course of history, Native peoples have battled cultural erasure. “It’s important to lift them up and to empower them to be proud of who they are, to continue advocating on behalf of their people.”
Homeland’s origins
The Homeland screen printed design for the career expo pays homage to Native slang word Skoden, meaning “let’s go then.” The design appeared on tote bags and T-shirts at Phoenix Union High School District Native American Education Program’s career expo on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Brandelyn Clark/Cronkite News)
Homeland is born out of Phoenix and the Navajo Nation. Founded in 2023, creators from various tribal nations have expanded from a performance group to an all-around collective that aims to be a hub for Indigenous visionary expression.
From streetwear to school workshops, Homeland members aim to be mentors for a younger generation.
“We didn’t have this type of connection with our older groups,” said Jorge Gonzales, who is Pima – also known as the Akimel O’Odham – and a founding member of Homeland. “We want to make that type of connection with the kids and to tell them there’s so much more that they can do with their future – to make it something that you love.”
Homeland’s mission is rooted in youth empowerment and cultural pride. From organizing a toy drive for Hogan Hozhoni, an emergency child care home on the Navajo Nation, to designing hats that commemorate reservation schools through their colors, the group’s work goes beyond fashion to inspire a movement.
“People still think we live in teepees and we’re off the grid, so to speak, and it’s just more than that whole narrative. The main goal in Homeland … is to bring in more of our works and to have more eyes open,” Gonzales said.
Ty LodgePole of the Navajo Nation is the founder of Homeland. With a deep commitment to uplifting Native voices and challenging barriers in underrepresented industries, LodgePole blends inspiration and purpose as a fashion designer. He uses his platform to show the strength of resilience and the need to carve out spaces where Indigenous people can shine.
“There’s nothing more fun than doing what you love to do, with your friends and having some type of intention and purpose behind it. … Growing up, I never had anybody that looked like me in the places that I wanted to be, such as the fashion industry. A lot of these spaces are very non-colored, non-brown,” LodgePole said. “It’s a beautiful time to be able to look like us.”
Beyond creating physical art and fashion, Homeland aims to navigate spaces that historically alienate minorities and challenge harmful rhetoric against Native communities.
“It just feels like another day in America. We’re just trying to continue to just be loud and proud of who we are and what we represent as Indigenous people,” LodgePole said. “What we believe in, is culture and what we believe in, is community. There’s a lot of power in just moving that way.”