Klee Benally, a prominent Navajo activist and musician with Flagstaff roots, passed away at the age of 48 on Saturday, December 31, 2023.

According to a report in the Navajo Times, Benally hailed from Dziłyíjiin, Arizona, and belonged to the Tódích’íi’nii and Wandering People clans. Throughout his upbringing, Benally received a deep education in traditional Navajo culture from his father, Jones Benally, a renowned hataałii (medicine man).

Native Arts 360's a.i.m. is to promote Indigenous art and culture year round so we collectively expand what it means to celebrate Indigenous peoples contributions beyond the month: acknowledge and appreciate the beauty of the original peoples as they deserve to be. 

Residential school survivor-turned-artist Fred Taylor shares his story of trauma, hardship and ultimately hard-won healing through his art and his Creator.

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For Indigenous artist Freddy Taylor, 76, painting has brought purpose back into his life, giving him a way to heal from the trauma he experienced as a child while attending an Indian residential school in Ontario for 10 years.

"I don't know how I do it, but the gift that the Creator has given me, you'll never see a pencil mark on my work. I never use a pencil," Taylor says.

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