Jakeli Swimmer
Jakeli Swimmer comes from a family of traditional potters, where he was inspired by his brother Luke Swimmer to begin drawing. Primarily working with a combination of pen and ink, and digital graphic software, Swimmer draws cartoon illustrations to show changes in how native imagery is perceived. Using observations and conversations from personal and everyday life on the Boundary, Jakeli is able to bring a more personal touch to his artform. Mr. Swimmer feels his approach to his art allows room for interpretations and expressions that in turn bring needed dialogue, critical thought, acknowledgement, and at times most importantly, laughter. Not only has Jakeli won awards at the Cherokee Indian Fair and the Kananesgi Art Competition, he also is the illustrator for the Cherokee One Feather.
Key Sites
Commentaries, Interviews, and Lectures
- [Who is Around the Boundary?] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SWQ040Vsno)
- Jakeli Swimmer - Qualla Arts
- [Meet Jakeli Swimmer] (https://boldjourney.com/meet-jakeli-swimmer/)
- [To Save Their Endangered Language, 2 Cherokee Brothers Learn As They Teach] (https://www.npr.org/2018/12/24/674509385/to-save-their-endangered-language-2-cherokee-brothers-learn-as-they-teach)
- Amanda Swimmer, Potter and Keeper of Cherokee Traditions, Dies at 97 - The New York Times
Academic References
- Jakeli Swimmer, “Stop Highlighting Cherokee Objects,” Cherokee One Feather, November 21, 2024
- Jakeli Swimmer, “Respect our language. Respect our Elders”, Cherokee One Feather, May 14th, 2021
- Jakeli Swimmer, “Cherokee language has become a novelty,” Cherokee One Feather, August 15th, 2018
- Caty Borum. 2023. “The Power of Humor in Indigenous Activism.” YES! Magazine. Retrieved February 18, 2025
- Simpson, L. B. (2014). Land as pedagogy: Nishnaabeg intelligence and rebellious transformation. Decolonization: indigeneity, education & society, 3(3).
- Simpson, L. B. (2017). As we have always done: Indigenous freedom through radical resistance. U of Minnesota Press.
- Coulthard G S (2014) Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
- Beardall, T.R. (2024). “Imperialism without Imperialists” and the Settler-Colonial Logics of Reservation Policing. In Police and State Crime in the Americas: Southern and Postcolonial Perspectives (pp. 49-70). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
- Nagle, R. (2024). By the fire we carry: The generations-long fight for justice on Native land. HarperCollins.
