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.
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 to it, and expand Indigenous futures.
This design features a bold style that represents the reclamation of essential aspects of Indigenous life as key to the tribal sovereignty that Nī̦šōc supports. 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 our story and destiny.
This design visually tells the story of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s displacement. It shows 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 place where we were forcibly moved to and from by colonial sentiment and policies intended to reduce and eliminate Indigenous.
