Neo Native

Neo Native is a brand built around the Native inspired art that Kayanna has made. Neo, in this case, is to emphasize a focus on the new age and reconsideration of old traditional styles in newer modes.

      • Kayanna Healy (Artist)

        Kayanna Healy is an Alaska Native born and raised in Fairbanks, AK. She is a Healy Lake (Mendas Cha'ag) tribal member. Inspired with her upbringing in the Athabascan culture of Healy Lake and having been adopted into the Tlingit Raven Clan, she has a deep connection with various Indigenous cultures of Alaska. She is a high school mathematics teacher and spends her free time doing art, hunting, fishing, practicing a Korean martial art called Tang Soo Do, spending time with family, and enjoying adventures with her husband Luke.

      • Luke Martin (Digital/Technical Operations)

        Luke Martin was born and raised in Fairbanks, AK. While attending college for Statistics and Computer Science, he decided that his interests aligned more with Information Technology rather than Statistical Research. So, he made a pivot into IT the same summer he got married to Kayanna. Together they run Neo Native, with Kayanna being the creative and Luke functioning as the full-stack operator (Logistics, communications, socials, etc.). On the side, Luke loves to run, practice Taekwondo, and read whenever he can.

      Artist Statement

      I am an Alaska Native artist of Athabascan descent, with family ties to the Tlingit people and the honor of adoption into the Tlingit Raven clan. My heritage is mixed, reflecting the evolving identities of many Indigenous people today. Through my art, I explore what it means to be Native in modern times—celebrating tradition while embracing innovation.

      My Passion and Intentions

      My passion is to honor the land, animals, and cultures of Alaska. I create art (paintings, drawings, digital designs, and more) that brings together traditional Native motifs and contemporary styles, reflecting both my roots and my journey. Each piece is a celebration of the beauty, resilience, and diversity of Alaska Native cultures.

      Boundaries and Respect

      I approach my work with deep respect for the traditions and protocols of the cultures that inspire me. While my art is influenced by Tlingit, Athabascan, Inupiaq, and other Native designs, I do not create or sell traditional Tlingit formline art, as I recognize that is not my place. Instead, I incorporate elements such as ovoids, U-forms, and color palettes in a way that honors their origins while expressing my own vision.

      My goal is to uplift Native voices, foster understanding, and contribute positively to the ongoing story of Indigenous art.

      Neo Native: A New Style

      “Neo Native” is my way of asking: How can we respect and honor our traditions while also adapting and evolving? My art is a bridge between past and present, tradition and innovation. It is my hope that it inspires pride, curiosity, and connection—for Natives and non-Natives alike.

      Warm regards and tsín'ęę (thank you) for supporting my journey and the cultures that shape it.