Growing up on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on Long Island NY was both a blessing and inspiration. Strong family ties connect us as artists and culture carriers. Appreciation for one another and the natural world around us was taught through countless hours of exploration and play. We began our journey with innumerable opportunities to create. Many of our play objects were handmade from natural materials (shells, seeds, vines, and saplings). Over the years we held onto the love of creating through various opportunities to teach and share our creations.

In 2016, Thunderbird Designs made it's debut by bringing back the Thunderbird Family powwow stand at the Shinnecock Nation's Annual Labor Day Powwow, a powwow that first took place on the front lawn of Chief Thunderbird in 1946. Since this new beginning, Thunderbird Designs has vended at local farmer's markets, powwows, and seasonal events.
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As a small business, it is our goal to share with our clients the integrity of craftsmanship and the legacy of our ancestors. We do so, proudly, by offering products which embody the beauty of our traditions and rich cultural heritage. 

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