Step into the creative world of Chad “Little Coyote” Yellowjohn — where Indigenous storytelling, pop culture, and imagination collide. This portfolio is a reflection of lived experiences, humor, and resilience, told through vibrant colors and bold expression. Each piece captures a moment of connection — between tradition and today, identity and imagination.
Here, art isn’t just something to look at — it’s a way to celebrate, protect, and represent Indigenous voices while inviting everyone to see the beauty and strength that’s always been here.
This piece was created in honor of the children and survivors of Indigenous Boarding and Residential Schools. Inspired by my nieces, nephew, and our ancestors, it represents spirit, remembrance, and return. As an Indigenous artist, my purpose is to express our collective emotion — to help us heal, to help others understand, and to keep the memory of our people alive.
This piece is dedicated to my mom, Ione Yellowjohn — artist, beader, and my biggest inspiration. I’ve drawn her many times, but this one means the most, created during my first Artist in Residency at the Institute of American Indian Arts, where it all began. It’s nearly impossible to recreate her brilliance, especially her regalia, but this is my love letter to her creativity and to all mothers who inspire us to be better artists and people.
This piece is a reflection of love — for my long hair, my family, my art, and the culture that connects it all. Every creation we make carries a butterfly effect, rippling inspiration and strength through our communities. The braids we wear, the love we share, and the art we create all remind me that identity is something to be celebrated. A special thank you to my family — Tia Boyer, Lisa Boyer, Ione Yellowjohn, Shanner Escalanti, and David Browneagle Jr. — for always inspiring me to keep creating and growing.
This piece is dedicated to my cousin — and sister in spirit — Tia Boyer (Shoshone-Bannock). Tia is a mother, wife, sister, and one of the coolest people I know. Her energy, humor, and heart continue to inspire me as family and as an artist. She became the focus of my second Artist in Residence creation — a celebration of kinship, strength, and the beauty of Indigenous womanhood.