My name is Erick Krigsvold and I’m a citizen of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe in King William, Virginia.

My mother is Pamunkey and my father is white and they had to leave the state to get married because interracial marriage was illegal at the time. My family lived on and off our tribal reservation throughout my childhood. I have disjointed memories of my tribe and have felt generally disconnected from a part of my identity and history.

I always recognized that I was different from my friends but that I generally passed for white with my tan skin and Norwegian name. Once I had kids of my own, I realized that I had denied myself a deeper connection with my Native identity. I’ve spent the last several years learning about my tribe’s history and trying to reconnect with my culture.

I learned about the paper genocide in Virginia in the 1920s and how the Virginia government worked to systematically dismantle and erase the history and culture of Eastern Woodland tribes. As a digital illustrator, I started creating art inspired by my memories of modern rez culture but also to find connection with my tribe’s history.

I now try to educate my children and my community on Virginia tribes and tribal ways and to show people that Native Americans do still exist.  I hope to use this site to showcase my art, share my learnings about tribes across the country and elevate and support organizations that work with Indigenous communities.

I also create custom illustrations.  Contact me for custom requests.