About Shelby

Who am I?

First and foremost, Chickashsha Saya, iksa inkonihumma. I am Chickasaw, descended from the Red Skunk Clan. I am descended from Chickasaw healer, midwife, and business owner Mourning Tree Allen Gooding. She was only a 5-year-old orphan at the time of our tribe’s forced removal from the homelands near modern day Tupelo, Mississippi to Chickasaw Territory in Oklahoma. Like my ancestor, my purpose is to mend brokenness, and I have built my career doing just that. I am a Vietnam War brat born in Las Vegas who grew up with my siblings in my parents’ hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’m a bit of a wander woman and enjoyed living here, there, and everywhere while raising my three sons and building a career. In 2016, I had the incredible honor of being named the Chickasaw Nation Dynamic Woman of the Year. That event changed my life, and led me to come back home to Oklahoma to be closer to my family and my people.

What do I do?

I create, strengthen, and rebuild systems with the goal of mending the brokenness in our society and nurturing healing among those who have been broken. As a survivor of countless traumas myself, I have also spent years mending the brokenness within myself. I celebrate healing and am a champion for hope.

So how do I do that?

Professionally…

I’m an outspoken suicide prevention expert, inspirational speaker, lived experience advocate, experienced trainer, and suicide attempt survivor. I started my career in public health over 25 years ago and have been a leader in the suicide prevention movement at the local, state and national level since 2007. See my full professional bio.

Artistically…

I strive to make each piece appear as realistic as possible. By using software to generate and fine-tune my patterns, I am able to bring my subjects to life by mixing multiple bead finishes and tones. Although I have beaded images of many things, creating portraits of Indigenous people, my people, is what brings me the most joy. Learn more about my process.