CarlaDean is a cultural advocate and mentor of Indigenous sciences who follows the gathering and harvesting cycles of the four seasons. She is a steward of the land and waterways. A lifelong educator and learner, she attended the American Indian Language Development Institute at the University of Arizona and the Northwest Indian Language Institute at the University of Oregon.

In 2003, she received her American Indian language teacher license to teach the Northern Paiute language in public schools in Oregon. She shares Northern Paiute cultural legacies through written works, radio, and various multimedia visuals.

Caldera attended the National Breath of Life Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages in 2010 at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., to advance her research and growth as a preserver of language and cultural legacies archives.

She was awarded an Oregon Fields Artist Fellowship for 2021-23.

Discipline: Music

Carlos Tenorio Laguaña is a musician artist born and raised from Guam. His passion for playing musical instruments began at a young age, as he was taught by his father who was also a musician. He studied music and graduated at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. With his knowledge and experience, he was able to share his passion with the people of Guam by teaching at public schools, private lessons, and at the University. He is also a member of a nonprofit organization called Inetnon na Låhen Guåhan (YMLG) that promotes culture, language, and heritage within the community.

Carrie Moran McCleary is the owner of Plains Soul studio and a fashion designer, beader and doll maker from the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe of Montana. Her collections have been featured at Native Fashion in the City, the Celebration of Native Plains Fashion Show, the Montana Folk Festival and the Seattle Art Museum.

Her beadwork has exhibited at the Brinton Museum, Field Museum in Chicago, Museum of the Rockies and internationally at Massey Arts and Seymour Art Gallery in Vancouver, as well as in the virtual exhibition “Stories from Bead Night.” She created the Fierce One Doll Collection to celebrate the value of contemporary Native people. McCleary has completed residencies with Adele Arseneau and the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, with upcoming residencies at the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center and the Eiteljorg Museum. Plains Soul studio is located in her backyard, close to family.

Carrizozo Music, Inc.

Carson Valley Arts Council

Casa Flamenca, Inc.

Cascadia Poetics Lab

Discipline: Visual Arts

A Polynesian weaver, marine scientist, and artist..born and raised in Amerika Samoa, Casidhe (Cassie) Mahuka graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Studies. Casidhe currently works full-time as the Marine Invasive Species Coordinator for the Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG), house by the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR). Casidhe is also the sole proprietor of Launiu Life, promoting the art and traditional skills of weaving handicrafts from coconut fronds (ig: @launiulife). “Launiu” is the Samoan word for coconut fronds, and I use the term “Life” to mean vital or to survive. Launiu Life seeks to connect people with nature and heritage by adopting traditional Samoan weaving techniques for modern-day wear, uses, and aesthetics. . Through these endeavors, I aspire to grow Launiu Life and contribute meaningfully to our cultural narrative and community resilience.

Casino Star Theatre Foundation

Discipline: Visual Arts

Cate Knothe is a filmmaker born and raised in Boise, Idaho. Influenced by the rugged landscape and unique character of their home state, Knothe’s work spans narrative, documentary, and experimental forms to uncover stories hidden within everyday realities. Drawing inspiration from place and setting, their films explore how collective memory and storytelling shape the ways people experience the world.

Knothe’s creative practice centers on themes of social justice and environmentalism, focusing on art that delves into micro-histories and community storytelling with broader political significance. In 2022, they began directing their first documentary, Stibnite, an ongoing investigation into modern mining practices in the American West. Currently, they are in post-production for Now It’s a Strange House, a documentary examining the historical and contemporary rise of fascism in Germany and the United States. Knothe is also completing Steward, a 16mm narrative film that explores the conflict between traditionalist and queer identities in rural America.

Knothe’s previous work has been screened at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, the Duke Independent Film Festival, and MOPOP’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Film Festival.

Cedar City Music Arts Association

Center for the Arts Crested Butte

Center for World Music

Center Pole, Inc.