The top moments from the 103rd iteration of this annual celebration of Indigenous creativity and artistry.
Before I attended SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market for the first time, someone described it to me as “Native American Burning Man.” They also gently warned me to pace myself, to which I scoffed, eager to show off my social scene prowess.
Upon taking in the one-of-a-kind affair — the world’s largest, most prestigious Indigenous art fair — I easily understood the comparison, with creativity, culture, and connection all wrapped up into one whirlwind weekend. I also quickly realized my naïveté in thinking I could somehow do it all. There is no such thing as “doing it all” at Indian Market, which is part of its beauty.
That sentiment likely resonates with anyone who attended the 103rd annual Indigenous arts extravaganza, which recently packed more than 1,000 Native artists representing 200+ tribal nations into the Santa Fe Plaza. Similarly, a week’s worth of exhibition openings, fashion shows, concerts, and other IYKYK events are crammed into just a few days. You know you’ve done Indian Market right if your cup runneth over (in the best way possible) come Monday morning, when it’s time to let the New Mexico capital city settle back into its usual laid-back lifestyle.
Last weekend, I got the chance to introduce a newbie to Indian Market and experience it through fresh eyes again. “You’re going to want to do it all,” I advised, “but that’s simply not possible.” And that’s what keeps thousands of visitors coming back year after year, eager to see the latest Indigenous innovations and creative evolutions.
This year’s standout moment? When first-time Indian Market artist Regina Free (Chickasaw) earned Best of Show honors for her life-sized bison sculpture — proving that there’s always a new artist to admire, a new voice to hear, and a new perspective to consider. Including that happy surprise, here are the top 4 highlights from the 2025 SWAIA Indian Market.
1. First-time Indian Market artist Regina Free claimed Best of Show honors
Chickasaw artist Regina Free was stunned to earn top honors for her 8-foot-tall bison sculpture entitled “Windswept” and crafted from unconventional materials such as felt, foam, and reclaimed driftwood. In fact, she had never attended the storied art fair before entering after friends encouraged her. “I understand what they live in — the wind and the heat,” she said of the animal during the Friday awards ceremony. “I wanted him to project strength, resilience but calm. So I wanted him to see that you are there, but not care, because he does not have to.”
2. History and movie buffs got an exclusive showing of Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning
Dark Winds director Chris Eyre (Cheyenne and Arapahoe) turned his attention to history with a History Channel documentary about legendary Potawatomi/Sac and Fox athlete Jim Thorpe as part of the Get Indigenous Film Festival presented in partnership with the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. A who’s who of attendees — including the likes of actor Zahn McClarnon (Hunkpapa Lakota), Sky-Eagle Collection designer Dante Biss-Grayson (Osage), and SWAIA Executive Director Jamie Schulze (Northern Cheyenne/Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) — took in the hearty, heartfelt film, heard from Eyre himself about its making, then danced the night away to beats spun by DJ Emcee One (Osage/Potawatomi) to kick things off on Thursday night.
3. A one-of-a-kind gorget by three Indigenous artisans raised $67,500 for SWAIA
Three noted Santa Fe artists — Kenneth Johnson (Muscogee/Seminole), George Rivera (Pojoaque Pueblo), and Cody Sanderson (Navajo) — collaborated on a custom gorget that sold for an impressive $67,500 at the spirited SWAIA Gala on Saturday night. Featuring gold, silver, Bisbee turquoise, and oxblood coral, the piece was fittingly dubbed “Stars, Spikes, and Feathers Forever” to reflect the shared vision merging multiple Native cultures. Another highlight from the evening was the vibrant fashion showcase courtesy of Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo) that featured celebrity models including former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo), actress Tantoo Cardinal (Cree/Métis), and actors Eugene Brave Rock (Blackfoot) and Kiowa Gordon (Hualapai).
Penny Singer (Diné), Osamuskwasis (Cree/Dene), Lauren Good Day (Arikara/Hidatsa/Blackfeet/Plains Cree), Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock/ Wailaki/Okinawan), and Jontay Kahm (Plains Cree)
4. Five visionary designers debuted new collections at the Native Fashion Show
Lauren Good Day (Arikara/Hidatsa/Blackfeet/Plains Cree), Jontay Kahm (Plains Cree), Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock/ Wailaki/Okinawan), Osamuskwasis (Cree/Dene), and Penny Singer (Diné) all premiered new collections before a packed house during Sunday’s sold-out Native Fashion Show. Crowd favorite looks included Okuma’s dentalium sculptural gown (which has been decades in the dreaming), Kahm’s fashionably festooned interpretation of ribbon skirts, and a painted buffalo robe to close out Good Day’s Herd Collection.
My personal favorite moment? Backstage at the Native Fashion Show when event co-producer Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa/Cherokee) reminded models walking for Good Day — including seventh generation Diné weaver Naiomi Glasses, powerhouse Comanche/Blackfeet film producer Jhane Myers, Navajo Rez Ball actor Jojo Jackson, Diné poet Kinsale Drake, and yours truly — to embody the power and grace that the designer herself exudes with each and every creation. It served as not only a pep talk for the runway but a rallying cry for the entire Indian Market weekend.
Photography courtesy Gabriella Marks (Best of Show); Dom Pablo (GIFF After Party); Charles Montaya (SWAIA Gala 2025); Veronica Huerta/Viisual Photography (Native Fashion Show)
