For Malorie King, crossing the graduation stage in 2023 was the culmination of years of perseverance, late-night study sessions, and overcoming challenges, including sleeping in her car when she couldn’t afford to return home.

A 2023 graduate and a fellow of the Center of Southwest Studies for 2024-35, King (Mescalero Apache & Din茅) has left a lasting mark on campus in a mural that offers hope and a sense of belonging to current students.

The “Indigenous Futurity” mural was completed in the summer of 2023. Painted in the stairwell of the CSWS building, the mural was a collaborative effort designed to inspire Indigenous students and reinforce a sense of belonging.

King worked alongside a team of talented students to bring this vision to life:

  • Shenay Atene (Din茅) – Psychology major, Native American & Indigenous Studies minor, Gerontology Certificate ‘24

  • Jakob Barlow (Din茅) – Journalism & Multimedia Studies major, Native American & Indigenous Studies minor ‘24

  • Taelor Goldtooth (Din茅) – Environmental Science major ‘26

  • Naomi Gray (Osage Nation) – English major, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages minor ‘25

  • Z. Wilbanks (Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin & Oneida Nation of Wisconsin) – Political Science major, Native American & Indigenous Studies and Environmental Policy minors ‘23

The project was part of FLC’s Maymester program, led by Nanibah Chacon (Din茅 & Chicana), lead artist and co-facilitator, and Elise Boulanger (Osage Nation), curatorial fellow and co-facilitator.

“Many students come from far away and feel scared, questioning if they made the right choice,” King said. “We wanted them to look at this mural, take a deep breath, and say, ‘I made the right decision.’”

The mural features Dib茅 Nitsaa (Hesperus Peak), the Sacred Mountain of the North in Din茅 tradition. This landmark resonated deeply with students like Kaicee Pablo, a second-year major from Crownpoint, New Mexico.

“I remember seeing it for the first time and thinking, ‘Wow, that is so beautiful,’” Pablo said. “It was my first year at FLC, and I smelled the fresh paint on my way to class. Seeing Dib茅 Nitsaa reminded me of home, and that gave me a sense of comfort.”

In Navajo mountain philosophy, Dib茅 Nitsaa represents accountability and self-reflection—a theme that echoes throughout King’s journey.

“The mural is a reminder from my father and family to stay focused and accountable,” Pablo said. “Success isn’t handed to you-you have to work hard and make it happen.”

In Dine’s (Navajo) philosophy, there are an unlimited number of connections and teachings that we as people have with the universe, and they come in many different forms, some even unrecognizable. Determined to highlight Indigenous art and heritage, King curated the “Infinite Horizons” exhibit featuring 16 unique collections made by 14 Indigenous artists from different Native Tribes, each with a distinct cultural meaning. The exhibit’s title reflects King’s belief in limitless opportunities—not just for herself but all Indigenous students.

“Every piece in the showcase is connected somehow,” King explained. “For example, a tiny black ceramic vase in the collection isn’t of Navajo origin, but it’s covered in small insects, representing our connection to our insect relatives.”

“It’s an extension of ‘Indigenous Futurity,’ amplifying the idea that there are infinite ways to connect to the world, to art, and our identities as students and human beings,” she said.

The project aims to allow others to reflect on their heritage, traditions, and stories. Similar to Indigenous knowledge, it is rooted in values of kinship, gratitude, and community—each of us carries a cultural lineage that can inspire and guide us down a pathway of success. By connecting ourselves with these roots, we will be able to better understand the ways that our lives intersect with those around us and contribute to a future defined by respect, learning, and reciprocity.