KANSAS CITY, Mo — A Kansas City jeweler is using his designs to tell the stories and lifestyles of indigenous people.

Elizabeth Heule founded her small business Orenda four years ago to raise awareness of missing and murdered indigenous people.

Chris Morrison

A 2016 study by the National Institute of Justice found that four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3 percent) have experienced violence in their lifetime.

“We honor them by remembering,” Heule said. “They want to gloss over it – ‘I wasn’t there; I didn’t participate’ but you’re here now; you’re here now and we can do something, you know, Now.”

Chris Morrison

Native Americans also have higher rates of murder, rape and other violent crimes than national averages, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

There is so much beauty in Heule’s designs, but also often forgotten stories of pain woven into the fabric.

For example, turquoise tears and red hands symbolize voices that are silent and will not be heard.

Chris Morrison

“A lot of people want to tell their own stories,” Heule said. “I refuse to remain silent any longer.”

Heule believes that to heal we must reconcile, and to make peace we must remember.

He uses his art to do what he can, but his latest design is a gentle touch on one of the biggest franchises in Kansas City to help get his message out there.

Chris Morrison

“If the Chiefs are going to use the identity of the indigenous people, my sense is that they can and in fact should help the indigenous community,” he said. “So I was hoping to raise awareness.”

Heule says the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce condescension is a way to meet the current moment, but he hopes his platforms can bridge a moment in history.

Chris Morrison

“I think he would definitely take the part if he heard about it. I don’t know him personally, but I’ve seen his documentaries and stuff and I think he would be interested,” Heule said. “Maybe it will help them see what a good opportunity this is for everyone and help them reach consensus.”

—

KSHB 41 anchor/reporter JuYeon Kim covers agriculture issues and the fentanyl crisis. Share your story idea with JuYeon.