Seewalker uses the style to paint mostly Native figures, using her own Sioux heritage as inspiration to share Indigenous stories. The mural she is painting is at the office of Haseya, an advocacy program that serves Indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Colorado Springs region.

The program offers community events, a free clothing pantry and resources to help survivors. Their leaders and members also participate in advocacy work and Native-specific legislation across the state. Monycka Snowbird is the program director. 

“We’re not just healing from gender-based violence, we’re healing from generational trauma, and that was one of the reasons we wanted to bring Danielle in to do our mural here,” says Snowbird. “She’s a very well-known, very talented artist that isn’t just painting about these things, she’s actually doing this community work.” 

The Haseya Advocacy Program moved into their new office in May of 2022, and they began envisioning a space that would immediately feel welcoming to Native people. Seewalker’s mural, which is visible from the hallway, was a big part of that plan. 

“When [Native] people walk in the door, they immediately know this is a space for them, this is an extension of a home, and we’re here to uplift and empower our community” says Snowbird.

Seewalker’s mural features three scenes, each representing a different part of Haseya’s advocacy work. On the left, an elder woman in a bright orange shirt hugs a child that could represent her younger self. Her shirt symbolizes “Orange Shirt Day,” which falls on Sept. 30 and promotes awareness around Indian boarding schools and their negative impact on Native American communities.

[Related: Colorado Voices: An Indian Boarding School]

“There isn’t a Native American that exists today that hasn’t been touched by boarding schools,” says Seewalker.