Mitchelene Bigman (Bigman)Paintings, Biography and Museum Collections

Mitchelene Bigman: A Life of Service, Advocacy, and Cultural Preservation

• Born: September 1, 1965, Billings, Montana
• Origin: Mus3ums
• Background: Apsáalooke (Crow/Absaroke) / Minitari (Hidatsa) U.S. Army Veteran and Advocate

Early Life and Military Service

• Raised on and off the Montana Crow Reservation, experiencing challenges including a negative experience at a Catholic-run Indian residential school.
• Graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1983.
• Enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987 due to limited employment opportunities and high rates of domestic abuse on the reservation.
• Served as a diesel mechanic, known for volunteering for difficult assignments.
• Deployed twice to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning a Combat Action Ribbon after surviving a rocket attack.
• Retired as a Sergeant First Class in 2009.
• Earned a BS in Business Management (2011) and an MBA (2013) from the University of Phoenix.
• Pursued a Masters in Legal Studies of Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma, graduating in May 2023.

Advocacy and the Native American Women Warriors

• Experienced racism and discrimination during her military service due to her Native American identity and gender.
• Established the Army Women’s Iraqi Freedom Veterans (AWIFV) Color Guard to provide support for female Native American veterans.
• Founded the Native American Women Warriors (NAWW) in 2010, succeeding AWIFV.
• NAWW's mission is to recognize and honor women veterans of Native American descent and their contributions to both military service and indigenous cultures.
• The NAWW team incorporates traditional handmade jingle dresses into their performances, blending healing traditions with military symbolism.
• Dress colors include red, white, blue, and Cheyenne pink, representing patriotism and Indigenous identity.
• Performed at significant events including Barack Obama's second inauguration (2013) and Joe Biden’s inauguration (2021).

Artistic Expression and Cultural Significance

• The NAWW Color Guard performances are a form of ceremonial art, combining traditional practices with contemporary military honors.
• Jingle dresses worn by the team incorporate symbolic colors and elements honoring Native American heritage and military service.
• Bigman's work highlights the intersectionality of Indigenous identity, military service, and women’s roles in both spheres.
• The NAWW serves as a powerful symbol of resilience, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Native American veterans.

Recognition and Continued Impact

• Received the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) Meritorious Service Award in 2012.
• Recognized by the White House "Champions of Change" initiative in 2014.
• Served on the Board of Trustees for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and the Advisory Committee for the Native American Veterans Memorial.
• Continues to tour with NAWW, advocating for Native American women veterans and promoting cultural understanding.