my roots

My project started when I found out that I was not Mexican. It turns out I am Navajo, Apache and Yaqui. I was born in El Paso but had been living in NYC for twenty years when I found out. A couple years later, we decided to return the high desert, El Paso Texas. I missed walking in the desert, feeling the wind on my face, looking at the beautiful foliage, and listening to the coyotes howl when the sun sets.

I told myself that when I returned to El Paso, I would start my creative journey in embracing who I thought I was and who I am now. I created Pins & Needles, a project that is knitting, weaving, bead weaving, sewing and embroidery. In this project I express my indigenous roots through textiles. I also had hopes in creating my hat company. One year later, I created Aghaa Hat’ Co., a hat company that embraces native roots and looks to our ancestors as inspiration. You may ask, ”what does Aghaa’ mean?” it means wool/hair from any animal. I thought it would be a perfect name, since I use rabbit fur felt and vintage beaver fur felts.