Hi Friends. I'm currently living in the Pacific Northwest on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. I moved out here in December of 2016 from NYC in hopes of exploring my Nimiipuu (nim-ee-poo) roots and finding a way to contribute to the tribal community. Side note: Nimiipuu is the actual name of my people, Nez Perce was a misnomer, but it stuck. 

 

While having yet scratched the surface of the history and ways of my Native brothers and sisters, I will be serving my community as an AmeriCorps VISTA (domestic version of the Peace Corps) volunteer beginning in July of 2017. It is an honor to be a member of AmeriCorps, and a privilege to be a part of what I hope will be a positive and lasting change for my people. 

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Originally, I'm from Tampa, FL, but have lived for several years in both Boston and New York City. I studied English at UMass Boston before returning to Florida where I got an Associate's degree in Fashion Design and Marketing at IADT (International Academy of Design and Technology) in Tampa. 

 

Eventually, I made my way to NYC. While there, I pursued a career in fashion through internships and freelance work as a pattern drafter and seamstress. It became apparent to me during this time that it takes more than talent and skill to thrive in the fashion world. It requires a mindset that I was unwilling to adopt. I still love the art of fashion and find myself designing in my head when the muse strikes. 

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I guess it could be said that fashion was my foray into the art world. It awakened my creativity. Photography has become my way of connecting with the world and myself. 

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Thank you for visiting my site.

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Kind wishes,

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SJ

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