I created this painting during the protests at Standing Rock, where Indigenous tribes from across the Americas came together in one of the largest gathering of its kind. They stood in unity to protect their sacred land from an oil pipeline—a powerful moment of resistance, resilience, and hope. It was a historical standoff, not just against a corporation, but for the future of the earth, uniting tribes and communities across the world.

The buffalo, a sacred symbol in many Indigenous traditions, embodies this strength. When storms approach, buffaloes don’t run; they turn into the wind and move through it. This instinctual wisdom reflects the power of standing firm, facing adversity head-on, and emerging stronger.

To me, this moment at Standing Rock was a reminder to keep standing strong for the world I believe in. The buffalo represents hope, a guardian of balance. As long as there are buffaloes, there is humanity.