Bridging the Cultural Gap: Experience Authentic Native American Craftsmanship with Walking Sky

She:kon/ Hello! 

When I was little I always felt like the odd one out. I am Half Native American - Mohawk/Kanienʼkeháka from my mother and half Greek/Italian from my father. I am always mistaken for just being Greek thanks to my very Greek  - Nikki Apostolou name. I grew up between Bensonhurst Brooklyn - which, at the time, was still mostly an Italian enclave and Kahnawake - Mohawk Territory where I was born. I felt like I never fit in, in either place. Trying to explain to anyone who I was, was always met with mockery, misunderstanding, or very insensitive questions. That really stuck with me but it is one of the reasons that inspired me to create a line that celebrated my culture. 

It can be hard to understand something you don’t see often or only read about in history books. I am here to tell you that Native Americans are alive and well and more resilient than ever. For the past two years I have been sharing Native-centered content on TikTok (@recycldstardust) and through this journey realized that so many just want to learn more and experience native culture with respect and honor. How do you do this if it isn’t available to you?

You can’t just walk into any average mall or store and see Native American-made items. You will find plenty of native-inspired, native knock-off, and even appropriated items. These false items just further blur the lines of what Native American culture and even heritage really are. I am here to bridge this gap! I want to offer you Native American MADE soaps and candles that have culture and heritage behind them, items that you can experience authentically. 

I hope you will try out my entire line of authentically handmade Soaps and Candles and I look forward to sharing more about native culture with you!

Niá:wen (thank you)

-Nikki