ARTIST BIO
Kaylene J. Big Knife hails from the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, nestled in the Bear Paw Mountains of northcentral Montana. She is a versatile graphic designer and digital illustrator, deeply passionate about comic art, museums, storybooks, earring design, and the revitalization of Indigenous languages.
Currently residing in the beautiful landscape of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, she remains dedicated to her creative pursuits. Her remarkable portfolio of clients includes Xbox, PBS, Buffalo Jump Records, Young Spirit, Fawn Wood, Sullivan Squad, Northern Cree, Stone Child College, Cora Kay Productions, Stunt Puppy, American Indian Language Development Institute, Indigenous Comic Con (now known as Indigi Pop X), C.M. Russell Museum, the University of Montana – Missoula, and the University of Idaho. Big Knife's artistic journey continues to thrive and inspire with her signature bold linework, contemporary floral designs, and bright color palettes.
Education:
University of Arizona (2019)
Master of Arts in Linguistics
Emphasis in Native American Languages & Linguistics
University of Montana-Missoula (2017)
Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies
Minor in Studio Art
Institute of American Indian Arts (2013)
Associate of Fine Arts in Interactive Graphic Design
Certificate in Business & Entrepreneurship
College Courses I've Taught:
· Spring 2022 ART 280: Photography
Stone Child College
· Spring 2022 ART 231: Graphic Design
Stone Child College
· Summer 2021 ART 231: Graphic Design
Stone Child College
· Spring 2021 GS 180: Digital Storytelling
Stone Child College
Conference and Workshop Presentations:
2022 Type Drives Culture: Ezhishin presented by Type Directors Club
“Panel III: Typography”
Moderated by Bobby Joe Smith III. FeaturingSébastien Aubin, Kevin Coochwytewa, Victor Pascual, Kaylene Big Knife
2021 American Indian Language Development Institute (AILDI)
Workshop: “Digital Stories for Indigenous Languages” co-instructed with Dr. Wilson de Lima Silva
2020 Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program (IKEEP) retreat
“Digital Storytelling Using Both/And Technologies” co-instructed with Marco Seiferle-Valencia, Teresa Cohn, and Iva Moss.
Workshop: “Using Microsoft PowerPoint & Photos to Create Comics”
2019 Symposium for American Indian Languages (SAIL)
Workshop: “Creating Digital Storytelling for Indigenous Languages”
2019 Symposium for American Indian Languages (SAIL)
Poster: “Creating Curriculum: Children Literacy in Cree Syllabics (Plains Cree Dialect)”
2017 Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium
Conference talk: “Language Activism through Digital Arts”
2017 Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium
Conference talk: “Speaking Like Our Ancestors: An exploration of learners’ word melody in Blackfoot” co-presented with Naatosi Fish, Caroline Allen, and Dr. Mizuki Miyashita
2017 5th International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation (ICLDC)
Conference talk: “Promotion of Community Wellness Through Language Activism& Revitalization: A Student Perspective” co-presented with Jesse DeRosier, Danielle Yarbrough, Jake Lahr, and Willow Kipp
