Amy Denet Deal, is a Dine’ designer and founder of 4Kinship. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta honored 14 life champions on May 18 and is now available to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com
Press info posted below from the CNN pressroom here, Interview with Amy Denet Deal courtesy of Native Viewpoint.
On Saturday, May 11, CNN highlighted 14 notable and extraordinary individuals who were honored as part of their annual Champions for Change program. Among the individuals was Amy Denet Deal, a Dine’ designer and philanthropist and founder of 4Kinship, an artwear brand and non-profit dedicated to uplifting Indigenous designers.
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, CNN aired an hour-long special hosted by CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. According to CNN, the programming featured many notable hosts and was in its eighth season in 2024.
Featuring reporting from Dr. Gupta, CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates, CNN Correspondent Omar Jimenez, CNN Anchor and Senior National Correspondent Sara Sidner, and CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir, Champions for Change returns for its eighth year showcasing inspiring changemakers.
2024 CNN Champion for Change: 4Kinship Founder Amy Denet Deal, Dine’
As written in the CNN description, Amy Denet Deal is a West Coast fashion designer who returned to her Navajo roots to found 4Kinship apparel. Amy Denet Deal started 4Kinship as an artisanal clothing label using repurposed material to reflect indigenous ethics and aesthetics. Now, she uses her creativity and brand to invigorate her community, empowering fellow indigenous artists along the way.
In an interview with Native Viewpoint via email, Deal described how it felt to be honored by CNN. She also described her organization, 4Kinship, as well as what she has in store for herself and the organization’s future.
How does it feel to be selected as a CNN Champion for change?
I am deeply honored. This is not just my story. This is the story of my mom. This is the story of my family and many other families. This is the story of so many relatives who were displaced from our homelands. This is the story of our resilience, that it’s never too late to find our way home to our communities. I hope it inspires those who watch our episode to practice reciprocity in their lives!
Vincent Schilling: Can you tell us more about 4Kinship?
Amy Denet Deal: 4KINSHIP is a vibrant and sustainable artwear brand led by [myself] Amy Denet Deal, a proud Diné (Navajo) founder. With a deep respect for my Indigenous culture and heritage, 4KINSHIP seamlessly blends the realms of art, fashion, and creativity in captivating ways. Through our exceptional designs and innovative pursuits, the brand not only celebrates Indigenous creativity but also strives to empower the next generation.
We use our sustainable brand platform to create sustainable community solutions, giving back to empower the next generation! Our Santa Fe Flagship is home to over 20 emerging artists, who receive all profits from their sales. With no support from the City of Santa Fe for indigenous enterprise, we felt it was a way we could create a starting space for these young relatives to celebrate their limitless creativity.
Vincent Schilling: Can you tell us about the Outreach programs and things to uplift Indigenous designers, including the Dine’ Skate Garden Project and the ++4++ artists event in Santa Fe?
Amy Denet Deal: Our community work centers around supporting our next generation. Dine’ Skate Garden Project was a way to bring the transformative sport of skateboarding to kids living in the remote area of Two Grey Hills, NM. There aren’t many ways for our Diné youth to feel connected living in remote areas of the Navajo Nation. So, this park allows the kids to feel that connection to each other. When they feel connected, this has a direct impact on their mental health. Skateboarding offers that opportunity. At the skate park, they realize they’re not alone.
In our work with Indigenous artists here in Santa Fe, we create events that reinvest in the Indigenous collaborating artists and creatives who bring the events to life through the 4KINSHIP Indigenous Futures Fund (501C3).
“Our vision was to establish a performance space dedicated to Indigenous narratives, allowing us to share our stories through an indigenous perspective. The ++4++ show was a collective prayer by the artists participating, to share the limitless creativity of indigenous peoples, ushering in a new era of creative warriors. ++4++ was crafted by us, for us, with the purpose of reinvesting in indigenous futurism.”
Amy Denet Deal, founder of 4KINSHIP
Vincent Schilling: What’s next for you after this?
Amy Denet Deal: We’re excited to announce our partnership with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week and Supernatural Modeling Agency for the Santa Fe Indian Market! We are so inspired to work with Joleen Mitton and her team, connecting indigenous nations across Turtle Island through art, fashion, and music.
See the full list of 2024’s Champions for Change here.
To watch: CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta honored 14 life champions on May 18. The special highlighting these champions is now available to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com
About 4KINSHIP INDIGENOUS FUTURES FUNDS
The 4KINSHIP Indigenous Futures Fund (a 501(c)(3)) presents a revolutionary opportunity for communities and allies to support emerging Indigenous artists on their creative journeys. This collaborative initiative, led by Diné (Navajo) brand 4KINSHIP and Inspiring Children Foundation (ICF), aims to foster equitable opportunities for Indigenous artists to thrive in their craft. By raising funds, this initiative empowers Indigenous creatives to showcase their unique talents to the community and the press, providing them with professional recognition and support. Join us in cultivating the careers of these talented artists and celebrating their rich cultural heritage.
About CNN Worldwide
CNN Worldwide is the most honored brand in cable news, reaching more individuals through television, streaming, and online than any other cable news organization in the United States. Globally, people across the world can watch CNN International, which is widely distributed in over 200 countries and territories. CNN Digital is the #1 online news destination, with more unique visitors than any other news source. Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, features CNN Max, a 24/7 streaming news offering available to subscribers alongside expanded access to News content and CNN Originals. CNN’s award-winning portfolio includes non-scripted programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films for broadcast, streaming and distribution across multiple platforms. CNN programming can be found on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español channels, via CNN Max and the CNN Originals hub on Discovery+ and via pay TV subscription on CNN.com, CNN apps and cable operator platforms. Additionally, CNN Newsource is the world’s most extensively utilized news service, partnering with over 1,000 local and international news organizations around the world. CNN is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.
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