This preface is intended to provide some context to this artwork:

The Cherokee language was erased from my family's knowledge during the late 1930s, the years that my great-grandfather and his brother attended Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma. They were born and raised in a Cherokee-speaking household in Claremore, OK.

My grandfather, throughout his life, has tried to revisit the language he'd only heard his own grandfather speak a few times. After I expressed interest in learning the language, he passed on to me many educational materials he had gathered.

I am not a fluent speaker of this language. I am a fledgling student of this language. There is no intent to portray any expertise in Cherokee language or Cherokee culture. These are the works of a student incorporating language, symbolism and story into an unusual art form as they reconnect to the culture.

Learning Cherokee is free and open to EVERYONE at The Cherokee Nation Language Department

Introduction -

ᎣᏏᏲ. Tony Chambers ᏓᏩᏙ. ᎠᏯ ᏥᏣᎳᎩ.

I have been beading since autumn 2019. My grandfather taught me how to bead, a form of art he has been practicing since before I was born. I later joined him in a group of elders from the Mvskoke, Cherokee, and Delware-Lenape tribes, where they gather to bead together and share stories.

With each tribe having their own stories, symbolism, and unique culture, I set out to identify Cherokee-specific symbolism for my beadwork. Time and time again it has been said that as long as we Cherokee have our language, we have our culture.

Cherokee Animals Collection - Series 1

This special collection of Cherokee Animals is an exclusive release for SkasdiCon 2022!

Each animal is proudly displayed on a dyed leather cardback, carefully stamped with the leaves and the acorn of the Oak tree - a symbol of the eternal flame of the Cherokee people. Each cardback presents a beadwork nature scene that includes a landscape specific to the animal, as well as a nametag banner that reads the animal's name in the Cherokee language. The animals are hand-painted with acrylics, displayed on watercolor backgrounds.

Yan'si - Buffalo

Kvtli - Raccoon

Wesa - Cat

Siqua - Pig

Doya - Beaver

Walosi - Frog

Yona - Bear

Tsiya - Otter

Wahaya - Wolf

Tsisdu - Rabbit

All the figures packed up safely for travel to Tahlequah, OK., for Skasdicon on November 5th, 2022.

Creator Tony Chambers with his grandfather, Ron Chambers, vending at Skasdicon 2022.

Cherokee Animals Series 2 - Birds - Skasdicon 2023 Exclusives

From March until November 2023, I developed a Cherokee story-telling video game. It made a soft debut as a demo at Skasdi-Con and received great acclaim from the many people who played it. From young children to older folks, everyone thought it was fun, they like the art, and had a fun time with the obstacles and the items to be had throughout the level. A full reveal of the in-progress work is coming soon.

Kanvsayi - Mallard

Goga - Crow

Wehali - Eagle

Dlayiga - Blue Jay