Hechi! Hello, my name is Jen Bañagas-Aceves. I am Chicana and a citizen of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I am a storyteller and a proud Indigenous mother. I currently work with Native youth on the Pala Reservation and other personal art projects in between.

I specialize in cultural portraiture, where I aim to capture and showcase the rich diversity in Indigenous communities. My art portfolio explores the intersectionality of contemporary Natives living in the dichotomy of modern and traditional experiences. You will see a lot of reflections on Indian policies like the Relocation Act of 1956, the National Indian Child Welfare Act (NICWA), etc adding positive narratives to aid in narrative correction like matriarch empowerment, diversity within Native communities, and family values. I have been a photographer for the past ten years but for the last 4 years, I have been using my skills and camera to tell stories many have never heard. My art is a way to bring visibility, especially in our urban spaces.

My hope is you can see how much I value family, heritage, and art. I want you to know WE ARE STILL HERE!