#NativeArt4Health Artist Surprises Shoni With Special Gift

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Shoni, J. Nicole and The Silver Ridge Singers

The Atlanta Dream's Shoni Schimmel and artist J. Nicole Nahmi-A-Piah with The Silver Ridge Singers in Atlanta, Georgia (Amy Morris)

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Little Cheyenne Girl

The "Little Cheyenne Girl" artwork by J. Nicole Nahmi-A-Piah represents the #NativeArt4Health social media campaign to encourage American Indians and Alaskan Natives to get heath coverage. It was displayed at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Sept. 9-12, 2015. (Amy Morris)

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Shoni with Artist J. Nicole

WNBA Atlanta Dream guard Shoni Schimmel receives a surprise gift from artist J. Nicole Nahmi-A-Piah, who created a contemporary portrait of her. (Amy Morris)

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Shoni's Portrait

Shoni Schimmel shows support for the #NativeArt4Health campaign and admires her new portrait by artist J. Nicole Nahmi-A-Piah. (Amy Morris)

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Drumming for #NativeArt4Health

The Silver Ridge Singers perform traditional drumming and songs for guests attending the digital art display #NativeArt4Health. (AmyMorris)

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Kauffman and Associates

Director of National Outreach with Kauffman & Associates Tyra Wittenborn and contemporary artist J. Nicole Nahmi-A-Piah attend the second stop of a ten-city tour in Atlanta, Georgia. (Amy Morris)

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Shoni Schimmel

WNBA Atlanta Dream guard Shoni Schimmel played the Indiana Fever on Friday, September 11, before making her way to the traveling exhibit. (Amy Morris)

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Schimmel Drives Down the Court

Umatilla Citizen and guard Schimmel drives past the Indian Fever players. (Amy Morris)

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#NativeArt4Health Artist Surprises Shoni With Special Gift

By:

Amy Morris

9/14/15

Atlanta, GA— In the hopes of creating social media buzz to raise awareness for the availability of American Indian and Alaskan Native healthcare coverage, “Little Cheyenne Girl,” the stunning art created by J. Nicole Nahmi-A-Piah (Hatfield), Comanche/Kiowa from Norman, Okla., is being projected on urban buildings during a 10-city tour across the U.S.

For the full story: 'Little Cheyenne Girl' Shines in Atlanta, Shoni Schimmel Endorses #NativeArt4Health

September 9-12, 2015, Atlanta was the second stop for the digital display, which appeared on the wall of the Georgia World Congress Center, adjacent to Philips Arena, home to the WNBA Atlanta Dream. The event included "Little Cheyenne Girl" coloring pages for visitors and the Georgia drum group, Silver Ridge Singers, provided traditional drum and songs.

Tyra Wittenborn, a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, is Director of National Outreach with Kauffman & Associates' #NativeArt4Heath campaign. Wittenborn says many factors went into selecting which cities to visit.

“We wanted to really target into those cities that did not have an ITU (American Indian Health Facilities), so we know that individuals don't have access to IHS facilities and they need another avenue to get affordable healthcare. They are often low income individuals, so when they go to the market places, chances are they could already be eligible for medicare or medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program),and even if they are not eligible for those they can potentially get premiums and tax credits to help them pay for the costs of their insurance.”

The next stop for the digital art display will be Houston, Texas in mid-November. Specifics are still being worked out, so be sure to follow #NativeArt4Health on Facebook or visit www.kauffmaninc.com/nativeart4health.

The #NativeArt4Health campaign is gaining momentum and has already garnered the attention of Umatilla Citizen and WNBA Atlanta Dream guard Shoni Schimmel, a long time advocate for encouraging Native people to be successful and make healthy choices.

After the final home game of the 2015 season, a 75-67 loss to the Indiana Fever, No. 23 guard Shoni Schimmel made her way over to the traveling exhibit. “Supporting Native Americans but also supporting the healthy lifestyle is something I am more than willing to show support for,” Schimmel said.

She was greeted with a surprise gift by artist J. Nicole, who presented Shoni with a contemporary portrait depicting the famous basketball player. Shoni was very appreciative of the gift saying, “It's awesome, pretty cool...this is very nice!” Schimmel's final regular season game took place Sunday, September 13, against the Washington Mystics. The Dream topped the Mystics in a close game, 73-71.

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