Today we’re talking with Fawn Sampson (Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe) who is a mom and partner, and an artist. Fawn shares her love of art: everything from charcoal drawings, beading, singing, and dancing, to screen printing, painting, stop animation, and theatre!

Fawn shares a sweet story of how she met her husband Samsoche Sampson (well-known Hoop Dancer and featured guest on another episode of Native Lights) one night at a karaoke bar, and the two have been creating art together ever since. Fawn graduated from Bemidji State University double majoring in American Indian Studies and Visual Arts with an emphasis in Jewelry & Metals. Fawn also works at the University of Minnesota Extension, Center for Community Vitality as the American Indian Leadership and Civic Engagement Liaison.

Together Fawn and Samsoche Sampson create graphic art under the name Kvskvnv Designs, and the pair dreams of starting their own business someday. We loved hearing about Fawn’s enthusiasm for lifting up other artists, creating community around art, and how she brings beautiful art into every aspect of her life.  

Check out Kvskvnv Designs on the Sampson Brothers website: https://sampsonbrosarts.com/

Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine is produced by Minnesota Native News and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Native Lights is a weekly, half-hour radio program hosted by Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members and siblings, Leah Lemm and Cole Premo. Native Lights is a space for people in Native communities around Mni Sota Mkoce -- a.k.a. Minnesota -- to tell their stories about finding their gifts and sharing them with the community.