Oklahoma 2 Goldback

The Oklahoma 2 Goldback embodies the virtue Benevolentia, or Kindness, as lived and passed down through generations of Indigenous women. The imagery is set in the fertile river valleys of Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. This piece honors Native matriarchs, whose wisdom, generosity, and stewardship form the bedrock of tribal life. 

At the center of the scene stands a Cherokee mother, the primary symbol of virtue. She wears a traditional tear dress and beaded headband, powerful emblems of Cherokee identity. The woven basket in her arms overflows with the bounty of the land: corn, beans, squash, and strawberries. They represent the Three Sisters planting tradition, a method used across many Native cultures where the crops grow in mutual support. The corn provides structure, the beans enrich the soil, and the squash protects the roots. The strawberries serve as a sacred Cherokee symbol of love and reconciliation. In the distance, a second mother tends the harvest with a papoose on her back, symbolizing the intergenerational nature of teaching and nurturing.

Above the figures, a branch of Oklahoma’s state tree—the Eastern Redbud—arches over the scene, its delicate blossoms in bloom. The redbud’s vibrant pink and purple flowers, which flourish in early spring, symbolize renewal, beauty, and the enduring bond between people and land. As a beloved symbol across the state, it offers a quiet tribute to Oklahoma’s identity and spirit.

Flowing behind the figures is the Illinois River, a historic waterway that remains vital to the Cherokee people and those who call Eastern Oklahoma home. Dugout canoes glide across the river, illustrating the deep Indigenous connection to water as a source of life, travel, and spirituality. Nearby, an Asi house, a traditional winter dwelling of the Southeastern tribes, represents both architectural ingenuity and communal life. Domed and crafted from woven saplings and clay, it speaks to the intimate, enduring relationship between Native peoples and the land.

Footprints in the soil quietly allude to the Trail of Tears, one of the most painful chapters in American history. To present-day Oklahoma, the forced removal of the Cherokee and other Southeastern tribes was an act of grave injustice. The land became a place of resilience and survival. It also became a place of renewal. A rainbow arches overhead, symbolizing healing, hope, and a better future—a vision carried forward by those who refused to let their culture fade.

Oklahoma today is home to 39 federally recognized tribes, each with a distinct heritage. They are united by shared values of community, tradition, and reverence for the earth. Though this artwork draws visually from Cherokee symbolism, it was shaped with the input of cultural advisors and artists from several Oklahoma tribes, including a registered Choctaw artist who suggested the theme. Every detail was researched and chosen with care to honor the matrilineal traditions of the region. Women were not only caregivers, but also landowners, farmers, educators, warriors, and leaders whose voices helped shape tribal governance and daily life.

This Goldback tells Oklahoma’s story of perseverance, connection, and quiet strength. It reminds viewers across the world that Benevolentia is more than kindness: it is a way of life. It is the mother’s hand guiding her child, the elder passing down stories, the farmer planting seeds for the next generation. Through this image, Oklahoma proudly honors the women who give without asking, who teach without judgment, and who embody the true spirit of kindness.

At the bottom of this note is written the enduring truth: “The greatest strength is gentleness.”