Lewis, left, accepting a blanket from Round-Up Director Jason Hill. Lewis took first place in men’s traditional during Dancing in the Arena on Thursday during the 2024 Pendleton Round-Up. Lewis also received a blanket when he took first place in Dancing in the Park Men’s Traditional category later in the week. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
SPOKANE, Wash. – Kellen Lewis views life through a lens of wellness. He has lived his life at the crossroads of history, heritage, and identity while balancing reservation and urban life in Seattle, where he grew up.
As an Afro-Indigenous Nez Perce artist, dancer, actor, language speaker, and leader, weaving together the influences of his ancestors is an integral part of how he lives and works in Spokane. He draws inspiration and direction from all sides of his family: his mother and stepfather from the Nez Perce and Cayuse peoples of Oregon and Idaho and his father, rooting him to Black communities in southern California and Georgia. While leading others in wellness and mindfulness exercises, he channels his own story of resilience, understanding, and commitment to celebrating diverse histories within Indian Country.
Born in Seattle, Lewis’ life has been a balance between city living and time spent on the Nez Perce and Umatilla reservations. Throughout his life, Lewis has always been interested in the knowledge of his elders, learning Nimipuutímt (the Nez Perce language), cultural traditions, and the significance of tribal leadership. At the same time, his paternal lineage connects him to the migration of Black families from the South to Pasadena and Altadena, California—his grandparents, once sharecroppers in Georgia, sought new opportunities in the West, and were part of a migration that enriched the community they settled and thrived in.
“It’s really cool being tied to these lands and people,” Lewis reflects. “City life and rez life have been my life all the way through. That connection to both sides has given me a contemporary and traditional perspective, and I see more young people now embracing their Afro-Indigenous identities. Growing up, I felt isolated because not many people looked like me. But now, it feels good to see that growth and representation.”
Lewis, right, during his naming at the Tamkaliks Friendship Dance and Feast in July 2024. Lewis joined by his aunt Joyce McFarland, left, and sister Gabriella Lewis, center. Lewis received the name ‘Inakáhsayin’ Wiyetenéetipx, meaning Raised To The Sunrise. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
Lewis’ artistry spans performance and visual mediums, blending traditional and contemporary influences. His recent return to powwow dancing has brought him to significant events, including serving as one of the head dancers at the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirit Powwow, the largest two-spirit gathering in the country. His performance work has taken him across the Pacific Northwest and to national stages like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Lewis, who graduated from University of Notre Dame in 2009, showing a beaded wallet he designed featuring Nez Perce leader Chief Joseph. The photo was for an article about him in the Notre Dame alumni magazine. ▣ University of Notre Dame photo
Lewis has participated in Indigenous fashion shows including Santa Fe Indigenous Fashion Week and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. A skilled artist, he creates beadwork that blends beading styles, designs, and techniques from both Native American and African traditions. He also follows in the footsteps of his great-grandmother, practicing the art of traditional corn husk weaving.
Black History Month holds a special place in Lewis’ heart, not only for him as an Afro-Indigenous person, but as someone who appreciates history, diversity, and solidarity. He hopes communities push themselves to recognize and honor the shared struggles and triumphs of Black and Native peoples.
“It’s important to recognize the histories of all our peoples,” he emphasizes. “Black History Month aligns with Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday and serves as a strong start to the year—a reminder to walk through the rest of the year learning and recognizing achievements.
There’s so much we share as BIPOC communities, especially when you think about the Civil Rights Movement and how Indigenous movements have been impacted and supported by that history.”
Lewis spoke about the historical ties of the journey to overcoming colonial oppression and attempts to eradicate Black and Native peoples from this country. Lewis said he enjoys the story of, and calling attention to, the historical figure, York, the enslaved Black man who traveled with the Lewis and Clark Expedition and was welcomed by his Nez Perce ancestors, as a historical illustration of that point.
He sees these intersections reflected in media representation, where historically, Native people often found themselves identifying with Black culture due to a lack of Indigenous visibility. “Growing up, there wasn’t much Native media, so a lot of Native households connected with Black representation in music, TV, and movies. Now, with the rise of Native media, we’re seeing more of our own stories, but that connection to Blackness remains strong.”
Lewis is doing his own part in expanding this representation in Native media, appearing in Season 2 of the hit TV series Reservation Dogs and starring in the one-man show “According to Coyote” written by Nez Perce playwright John Kauffman.
Kellen Lewis dancing women’s traditional style during Dancing in the Arena event at the Pendleton Round-Up. Lewis, enrolled Nez Perce, is also of Cayuse descent and spent time on both the Nez Perce and Umatilla reservations growing up. Lewis did the weaving of the traditional basket hat, as well as the beading and feather work on the fan, he wears above. ▣ Gavin/CRITFC
Despite the growing recognition of Afro-Indigenous identities, he feels there is still work to do. “Many of my generation and younger folks have felt like we didn’t belong in certain spaces, either in Native or Black communities,” he says. “But I know who I am. My blood, my traditions, my connection to the land—it’s inseparable from me. There’s been a shift in awareness and acceptance, but we still have work to do to ensure all our relatives feel seen and valued.”
For Lewis, the key to fostering stronger relationships between Black and Indigenous communities lies in education, kindness, and intentional inclusivity. He encourages all Indigenous people to actively support Black History Month, engage with local Black histories, and recognize the contributions of Afro-Indigenous people year-round.
“It’s about taking time to learn and reflect on the histories of the lands we live on, the people who have survived here, and how we can support each other. It doesn’t have to be national figures—there are deep, local histories right here in places like Pendleton, Lewiston, and even small towns like Enterprise, Oregon, where Black families have been rooted for generations.”
Looking forward, Lewis calls for Indigenous organizations to be more intentional in their inclusion of Afro-Indigenous perspectives.
“Reach out and build relationships—it’s that simple. We often overcomplicate things, but at the core, it’s about time, attention, and kindness. Just like in our cultural teachings, when we tend to the roots, the whole tree thrives. We need to recognize our shared humanity and nurture it.”
As Black History Month comes to a close, there will be more months of recognition celebrated year-round and Lewis hopes these months of recognition will continue to encourage different communities to spend time learning one another’s cultures. He also hopes his journey serves as a powerful reminder that history is not monolithic. The richness of Afro-Indigenous identity highlights the importance of honoring all facets of our shared past, ensuring that future generations grow up knowing they belong, just as he has come to embrace the full spectrum of his heritage.
By Jill-Marie Gavin, CRITFC Communications