Highlights from Tzonteyōtl Na’ach’ąąh (Resistance Art) A Diné & Xikan@ Collaboration
Suzanne Thompson
Legendary L.A. based musician, poet, and activist Rubén Funkahuatl Guevara joined forces with Diné artist and anarchist Klee Jones Benally for Flagstaff’s premiere ARTx festival. In across cultural Indigenous, intergenerational collaboration of resistance art titled “Tzonteyōtl Na’ach’ąąh,” both artists shared the stage with Diné drag artist Lady Shug, Indigenous dancer, freestyler, and visual performance artist Sonni Pinto, and Danza Mexica Mexicayōtl. Tzonteyōtl translates to resistance in Nahuatl and Na’ach’ąąh translates to art in Diné (Navajo).
The first planning meeting for Tzonteyōtl Na’ach’ąąh (Resistance Art) A Diné & Xikan@ Collaboration was held on March 15, 2023, with Klee Jones Benally, Suzanne Thompson, Rubén Funkahuatl Guevara and Princess Benally (not pictured), at the (original) Suehiro Cafe downtown Los Angeles. Photo by Princess Benally.
One of several Zoom meetings over 6 months to plan the collaboration with Klee Jones Benally, Rubén Funkahuatl Guevara, Diné drag artist Lady Shug, Indigenous dancer, freestyler, and visual performance artist Sonni Pinto, and Massai Gonzalez of Danza Mexica Mexicayōtl for ART X Festival. Photo: Suzanne Thompson
Princess and Klee Jones Benally at the Art X Festival artist reception held May 25, 2023 at the Orpheum Theater in Occupied Flagstaff. Photo by Suzanne Thompson.
