Inspired by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Nī̖šōc fuses culture, language, and style to spark conversations about Tribal Sovereignty. Every design is an act of visual sovereignty, empowering our youth, honoring our roots, and shaping an Indigenous-led future. Now, SweetGrass Trading Company is excited to offer a selection of t-shirts and stickers featuring these bold designs, each carrying a message of cultural pride and reclamation.
Nī̖šōc was created during the contemporary revolution of Indigenous clothing we are living through today, representing the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska through visual and clothing sovereignty. The project was inspired by work within the Natives at Dartmouth (NAD) community, where new ways to serve Indigenous communities were explored. From these conversations, the idea emerged to create modern, wearable designs that tell Indigenous stories while supporting Indigenous causes.
The name Nī̖šōc means “Muddy Water” in the Ho-Chunk language, referring to the Missouri River near Winnebago, Nebraska. As a brand name, it acts as the place name for the Tribe and the modern representation of its people. The t-shirt collection currently features three unique designs:
KĪkawa’ų
This design honors Winnebago sovereignty by highlighting the Ho-Chunk term KĪkawa’ų. The word describes a bear rising to stand on its hind legs and waving its arms to intimidate threats. On these shirts, it symbolizes the duty of Indigenous people and organizations to strengthen Indigenous sovereignty, defend against threats, and expand Indigenous futures.
Reclamation
A bold visual statement, this design represents the reclamation of essential aspects of Indigenous life as key to tribal sovereignty. Clearly outlined are the phrases “Language Back,” “Culture Back,” and “Land Back,” with the first word of each phrase in bright red to represent both the violence of Indigenous history and the passion of current Indigenous people to reclaim their story and destiny.
Map/Journey
This design visually tells the story of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s displacement. It traces the path from the Ho-Chunk homeland in Wisconsin to the tribe’s current land holdings in Nebraska. Each break in the line marks a location where the tribe was forcibly moved by colonial policies intended to reduce and eliminate Indigenous presence.
Each of these designs also has a sticker equivalent, perfect for displaying your support for Indigenous sovereignty in everyday spaces.
The team behind Nī̖šōc
The project was led by Garret Morgan, who guided a team of interns and designers to bring the concept from paper to reality. Garret’s vision was to create modern, wearable designs that told Indigenous stories and supported Indigenous causes.
- Shirt designer: Sae Doxey (intern with Flatwater Group)
- Language expert: Tyler Lamere
- Design contributors: Desia Kitcheyan, Jordan Ghostdog, Charlie Earth