Karly Matt is using her modeling career to inspire Indigenous youth just like her.
Seeing the love and compassion that her mother poured into her community gave Karly Matt (Northern Cheyenne) the inspiration she needed to branch out beyond her Montana reservation. Her goal: to be a figure that Indigenous youths could look up to.
Indigenous model and full-time nurse Karly Matt opened up about her upbringing on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, finding modeling, and her meeting partner Keyshawn Whitehorse.
Tribute earrings, eighthgeneration.com; Red Mesa Sunset tunic, rhiannongriego.com; Arrowhead bolo, ortegasontheplaza.com; Lucky & Blessed denim jumpsuit, gomezwesternwear.com; Monica oiled saddle boots, laneboots.com.
Cowboys & Indians: You currently live in Granbury, Texas, but you’re originally from Montana, right?
Karly Matt: So I grew up on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, but I was back and forth between there [and Arlee, Montana] because that’s where my mom’s from. I lived there with her most of my childhood. But my dad is from the Salish and Kootenai Reservation in Arlee, Montana. So, that’s where I spent the majority of my summers.
C&I: How did you find modeling?
Matt: When I was 14, I came across a Native American designer from Crow Agency. She reached out to me through Facebook. She was going to a fashion show in Cody, Wyoming, and she was like, “Do you want to model for me?” I agreed to. Since then, I’ve been modeling for her. I got into the industry solely with Native American designers until I was about 18. Then I branched out and got signed with an agency in Montana.
I recently got signed with Alice Laura Models in Dallas, and they work more on the trade show side of modeling. I’ve also been shooting with some Western brands. But I’m actually a full-time nurse. So, I’m kind of prioritizing nursing, and I do modeling on the weekends if I get booked for a job or after work.
Cash felt hat in sahara, c1h.com; The Tigress Royston turquoise necklace, turquoiseandco.com; Garden Angel blue suede jacket, montanadreamwear.com; Light Denim Tube midi dress, tuckerbrown1986.com; Sonora Peak cuff, abilenesky.com; Black Widow turquoise ring, kirpachbrayclets.com; Brown Manchester fringe bootie, rockwelltharp.com.
C&I: Wow, that’s incredible. How did that combo of professions come about?
Matt: The reservation I grew up on was very poverty-stricken. My mom’s a nurse. At a very young age, I realized I wanted to do what she does because you can tell she’s very passionate about caring for these people. It’s hard to get out of that poverty and addiction. We want to be there to help motivate our community to get out of addiction, poverty, whatever battle they’re going through. I can also do that through modeling and having that light shone on Indigenous representation. Even that can help the youths and be a motivation for people. I want to help others.
C&I: You’ve been involved in the rodeo world quite a bit recently with your partner Keyshawn Whitehorse. Do you have any background in rodeo?
Matt: I personally never rodeoed, but I always grew up around rodeo just because I had a lot of family in it. My grandpa on my mom’s side is a world champion INFR team roper, and I have an uncle on my mom’s side who is a world champion INFR bull rider. I grew up watching them. My dad has horses, so I grew up riding horses, but I never rodeoed.
[On Karly] Tribute earrings, eighthgeneration.com; Red Mesa Sunset tunic, rhiannongriego.com; Arrowhead bolo, ortegasontheplaza.com; Lucky & Blessed denim jumpsuit, gomezwesternwear.com; Monica oiled saddle boots, laneboots.com. [On Keyshawn] American Hat Company 50X-1,000X felt hat, shop.besthatstore.com; Texas Lightning poncho, rhiannongriego.com; Necklace and pin, notahdineh.com; Blackout shirt, kimesranch.com; Snap front leather jacket, scullyleather.com; Belt, buckle, and Ariat jeans (Keyshawn’s own).
C&I: How did you and Keyshawn Whitehorse meet each other?
Matt: We met through Instagram. I followed him first. I was just like, “This is cool. A Native that made it to the pros.” Then he ended up reaching out to me and invited me to his bull riding in Deadwood, South Dakota
C&I: How do you feel about the world embracing Western culture and fashion so heavily right now?
Matt: Growing up in Montana, we kind of always dressed in Western fashion, but it wasn’t as intense as it is now. I do think it’s a Yellowstone thing. I honestly like it. When I moved to Texas, I was at church one day, and I was like, “Everyone’s dressed Western. Everyone’s dressed like me. I’m dressed like everyone.” I kind of liked it. But if you grew up around rodeo or the Western industry or in the cowboy world, you can tell who the real deal is.
Follow Karly Matt on Instagram @karlyvmatt and check her out in our 2024 fall fashion look book.
Interview conducted by Chad Isham
PHOTOGRAPHY: Sara Forrest
