Weaving Culture and Strength
Pronouns: She/Her
Sgë:nö ! (Hello in Seneca-Cayuga),
My name is Clovie McLendon, and I’m an enrolled citizen of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma. My heritage also includes Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, Pauma Band of Mission Indians, and African American roots. I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, and while I currently live in Alabama due to my husband's military service, my reservation is in Grove, Oklahoma.
I create headbands, scrunchies, jean jackets, beaded jewelry, and ribbon skirts using fabrics like cotton and satin and traditional materials like beads and threads. My creative work is directly shaped by my identity as an Indigenous and Black woman. Each piece I make is an act of empowerment and a tribute to the resilience of my ancestors. As a Haudenosaunee (Seneca-Cayuga) woman, my beadwork is grounded in the Haudenosaunee teachings of peace, symbolized by the Wampum.
As a nursing student and healthcare worker, I started making accessories that aligned with hospital dress codes. Native printed headbands and jewelry became my way of honoring culture even while I was in scrubs. I find peace in creating, whether indoors or outdoors, always feeling connected to my ancestors with each stitch or thread. My Nation hosted a ribbon skirt class in 2024, and thanks to the guidance of our elders, it became the spark that ignited this artistic journey.
I create art that feels like good medicine—it is a love letter to God, my ancestors, and my community. I want people to feel the strength, purpose, and beauty woven into each item. Whether worn or gifted, I hope my art brings joy and connection to others, just as it does for me.
Nya:wëh (thank you in Seneca-Cayuga) for visiting my shop.
About the Indigenous Artisans Collective:
Etsy and Nest are proud to support the Indigenous Artisans Collective, the latest cohort within the Etsy Uplift Makers Program, featuring shops from Indigenous makers affiliated with 27 tribes across the United States and the First Nations of Canada.
Many of the makers practice craft skills that have been inspired by or passed down from family and community mentors. Product collections include meticulously handcrafted home goods, jewelry, and other accessories, in honor of the maker’s culture and heritage. Amongst many Indigenous communities, traditional handcraft continues to hold significant cultural value, as well as economic opportunity.
Through the Uplift Makers: Indigenous Artisans Collective, Etsy and Nest are helping to create digital market access and economic opportunities for Indigenous makers while also providing artisans with resources and tools to help run a successful online business. From expert-led digital marketing training, onboarding support, and a custom resource library, the program delivers a comprehensive suite of programming to participants. Additionally, the program addresses key barriers new business owners face such as providing professional photography to capture the creative content needed to showcase their talent and reach new customers in today’s digital era.
