Bunkyechohawk.com
Title
BunkyEchoHawk.com - Artist Website
Description
I was born on May 20, 1975, in Toppenish, Washington, on the Yakama Nation Reservation. Like my mother, sister, and brother, I am an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation of Washington State. I am also a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, from my father. I grew up off the reservation, far away from our people in Colorado. My father has worked at the Native American Rights Fund in Boulder, Colorado since before my birth.
Growing up in a non-Indian world, I was constantly faced with the responsibility of defining my identity as a Pawnee/Yakama Indian. We were not always away from home. We often traveled home for ceremonies and family reunions. I was always fascinated by the duality of the two worlds, and the juxtaposition of culture and identity. This is where my art has originated from: The pursuit of a true identity, and the need to share this identity with the world.
I went to college at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I earned an Associate of Art degree in Creative Writing. With my writing, I was able to achieve part of my goal. Writing enabled my voice. I was able to publish my work in numerous places, and was also able to have it performed as well.
