103rd Annual SWAIA Indian Market Second Place Beadwork
Toghoyak SWAIA 2025 for recognizing my work in traditional Northern Ute belt bags. This year I chose to bead a floral motif entitled "Aka'sōō'a pů" meaning Red Flowering Bush in Uncompaghre Ute. This flower is Native to the high rockies and has various medicinal purposes for the Ute People. I made this bag to recognize my Nuuciu, our language, and our original territory of the Colorado Mountains.
About Eian Sundust
Eian Sundust is a maker-led brand from Nothern Ute, Shoshone Bannock and San Carlos Apache heritage presenting handmade Indigenous beadwork and leather goods alongside fine art. An award-winning artist residing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, celebrated for his exceptional beadwork that reflects his diverse heritage, which includes Northern Ute, Shoshone Bannock, and San Carlos Apache. His artistry is deeply rooted in tradition, and his distinctive beadwork often showcases the vibrant colors and intricate patterns characteristic of Northern Ute and Shoshone designs.
In 2024 and 2025, Eian received recognition at the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (Swaia), where he was honored for his outstanding contributions in Beadwork.
His talent truly shines in his collaboration with the acclaimed series "Outer Range," where his beadwork and designs were prominently featured in Season 2. This project allowed Eian to blend his artistic vision with storytelling, bringing an authentic representation of Indigenous culture to a wider audience. Through his work, Eian Sundust not only preserves the legacy of his ancestors but also paves the way for future generations of Native artists, enriching the tapestry of Indigenous art.