About the Artists

Melissa “Niigaaniigaabowikwe” and Thomas “Ogimaawajiweb” Fowler are the Anishinaabe Indigenous artists of Creatively Indigenous. Residing in the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin's Maple Plain Community in Cumberland, Wisconsin where Thomas is a member, Melissa is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. 

Together Melissa and Thomas create jewelry, accessories, art, and other life items utilizing natural mediums such as birch bark, leather, buckskin, bull horn, porcupine quills, wood, rock, and stone. They enjoy incorporating traditional patterns, themes, and styles with contemporary materials and styles to carefully create one-of-a-kind pieces. In May 2018, Melissa and Thomas sold their first pieces, thus sparking their new business journey, “Creatively Indigenous.”

Melissa and Thomas are meticulous about ensuring each item they take from the Earth is done carefully, respectfully, and has the proper offering of arena/tobacco. Birchbark is harvested utilizing traditional and cultural techniques past down generations as to not hurt the birch tree.  Careful attention in each step of the process is given to ensure their art is created in a good way.

Culture and tradition are important for the Fowler family, and Melissa and Thomas enjoy guiding their 6 plus 1 children about the Anishinaabe way of life and Mino Bimaadiziwin through traditional teaching and ceremony. 

Each purchase with Creatively Indigenous supports this Indigenous family-owned small business. Chi Miigwech! 

Look for Thomas and Melissa's socials on Facebook and Instagram- Creatively Indigenous.