On November 7, NDN Collective released the LANDBACK wool blanket on the NDN Store. This blanket is NDN’s second collaboration with Eighth Generation, an Indigenous-owned lifestyle brand that uplifts Indigenous artists around Turtle Island.
The LANDBACK blanket was designed by multidisciplinary artist JayCee Beyale (Diné) and Willi White (Oglala Lakota) designed the original LANDBACK lettering back in 2020.
“In 2020, days before Trump’s visit to the Black Hills to celebrate July 4th, I was asked to create a design for a light projection action that would take place the evening before. The brief was simple, it had to include messaging opposing Trump’s visit and prominently display the word: LANDBACK,” Willi said. Willi is a filmmaker and the Executive Producer of NDN’s LANDBACK For The People Podcast.
“The inspiration for the design of LANDBACK seemed straightforward to me: hand painted lettering like those seen on movement banners. At the time, I had no idea the impact this design would have. Since then, I’ve seen the design used to represent the LANDBACK movement on flags waved at stadiums, in art, and even tattooed on people’s bodies,” he continued. “This design holds so much meaning to me and to see it on a blanket, wrapped in art created by a dear friend, JayCee, is the continuation of how our stories and this movement weave together as we fight for our collective liberation.”
In his art, JayCee draws inspiration from street art and graffiti, using a combination of spray paints and acrylics to celebrate the fusion of technology with Indigenous culture, primarily in paintings and murals. Music, traditional Indigenous ideologies and his Buddhist practice equally influence his artmaking, through which he strives to illuminate core concepts and convictions: the Laws of Movement, Unity and Impermanence.
For the LANDBACK blanket, JayCee included geometric designs inspired by Lakota beadwork and quillwork and Navajo rugs. The iconic pattern flanking the LANDBACK text is the artist’s personal interpretation and representation of tipi poles alongside arrows for protection and healing. The angular layout is reminiscent of lightning patterns to highlight the significance of water and thunderous energy of the buffalo. The fusion of these elements in a contemporary context signifies continued strength and resilience of Indigenous cultures, moving forward ideas and philosophies while honoring their original practices and teachings.
“The opportunity to create this blanket is a continuation of the Nation building woven rugs/blankets played in the past. With NDN Collective having its roots in Lakota country and me being Diné I am reminded of the trade systems established to acquire Navajo Blankets to adorn and honor chiefs of the Plains,” JayCee said. “As an individual who was inspired by the Movement, I am very honored to have designed the LANDBACK Blanket for this generation. It’s a dream come true to put to use my talents and skills as an Artist for the Movement while truly being engaged in the LandBack effort day in and day out.”
Over the years, the LANDBACK movement has grown to represent a number of different elements to modern Indigenous culture and goals. At NDN Collective, we look at LandBack as a meta framework through which we can achieve the liberation of our people, our cultures, and Mother Earth.
“The LandBack movement is vibrant, growing and creating impact on Indigenous lands throughout the world. We thought it was important to create a blanket that shows up in ceremonies, on the frontlines, at powwows and in people’s homes,” said Nick Tilsen, Founder & CEO of NDN Collective. “The biggest threat to Indigenous human rights, treaty rights and the LandBack movement is the rise of facism and authoritarianism. It’s imperative that we rise up together and imagine a world with democratic values and principles that includes us and is a reflection of what we are fighting for. This beautiful blanket will be seen throughout the world in this historic moment. It is an extension of our resistance as work towards the liberation of Indigenous Peoples and our lands.”
Purchase your LANDBACK Blanket:
LANDBACK is an Indigenous-led, political, relational organizing, and meta narrative framework from which we work toward collective liberation. LANDBACK reclaims our right to restore, uphold, and protect our symbiotic and just relationship with Mother Earth, all forms of life, and each other.
LANDBACK embodies sovereignty that heals generations of destruction and colonial violence against Mother Earth, women, two spirit relatives, and all systemically targeted peoples by unsustainable systems rooted in violent supremacist ideologies.
It’s not just about the return of stolen lands, but the reclamation of everything that was stolen by colonization, and exercising sovereignty and self-determination to become the people who the land wants and needs.
