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Writer's pictureGetting Real with BOSSY

🪶 Celebrating Native American Heritage: Art, Culture + Entrepreneurship

Updated: Dec 2

November is Native American Heritage and National Entrepreneurship Month and we’re shining a light on a woman who embodies both, Angelina Hilton: founder of Native Made, in Rochester, NY.


Through art, commerce, creativity, storytelling and events like the On Native Land exhibit and the Native Made Market, Angelina’s work celebrates her heritage while paving the way for the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs and creators.


Key Highlights:

  • 🖼️ On Native Land art exhibit at Rochester City Hall (through December 13).

  • 🛍️ Native Made Market Nov. 30 featuring Indigenous goods and traditions.

  • 🎙Bossy ROC member Angelina Hilton’s mission to amplify Indigenous representation through business and culture.


🌟  Local Tribes of Western New York 


Western New York is home to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which includes six Native tribes. Their legacy is woven into the land, from the shores of Lake Ontario to the majestic Niagara Falls. These Nations have preserved their culture, language, and traditions despite centuries of systemic challenges.


  • Seneca: Keepers of the Western Door.

  • Tuscarora: The youngest member of the Confederacy.

  • Onondaga: Central Firekeepers and leaders of the Grand Council.

  • Oneida: Known as the People of the Standing Stone.

  • Cayuga: The People of the Great Swamp.

  • Mohawk: Keepers of the Eastern Door.



“The American system was designed to erase us, Native Made gives us a platform to reclaim our stories and honor our heritage.” - Angelina Hilton

🎙️ Spotlight on Angelina Hilton: 🌟 Pivoting with Passion



City Magazine Nominee for Best Podcast of 2024, Getting Real with Bossy hosts Kelly Metras + Kelly Bush caught up with Angelina to discuss her inspiring pivot to Native Made, a platform designed to celebrate and empower Indigenous entrepreneurs.









Angelina, a proud member of the Sac and Fox Nation and descendant of the Buffalo Clan, recognized a significant gap in representation for Indigenous entrepreneurs. This realization led her to shift her focus from PopRoc, a pop culture themed Cafe in Rochester, NY, to creating opportunities for Native-owned businesses and cultural exchange through:


  • Marketing and consulting: Helping entrepreneurs with branding, web design, SEO.

  • Events like Indigenous Peoples Day: Fostering community and honoring tradition.

  • Native Made Markets: Monthly pop-up events celebrating Indigenous goods + culture.


Her journey began when she partnered with local vendors to provide a free lunch through her restaurant. That experience illuminated the importance of celebrating and uplifting Indigenous cultures. 


👉 Listen to Getting Real with Bossy Podcast featuring Angelina on Spotify.




🎨 On Native Land Exhibit

📍 Link Gallery at Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street, Rochester, NY 14604

🗓️ Now through December 13 (Thursday - Sunday 1pm - 5pm)


The Native Land Art Exhibit is an immersive showcase of Indigenous art reflecting the theme, “What does this land mean to you as an Indigenous person of Turtle Island?”


 Featuring artists from Nations across Turtle Island—also known as North America—this exhibit shares profound connections to the land, resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.

  • 🌾 Traditional practices.

  • 🗣️ Endangered languages.

  • 🎨 Vibrant artistic expressions.


Through storytelling and art, the exhibit fosters understanding of the six local Native Nations: the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora. It celebrates the enduring relationship between Indigenous communities and the land, while raising awareness of contemporary issues impacting Native communities today



🛍️ Experience the Native Made Market

Angelina also empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs by hosting the Native Made Market, a monthly pop-up event that brings together artisans, food vendors, and storytellers.


Shoppers can find:

  • 🧺 Handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and artwork.

  • 🍯 Indigenous foods and beverages.

  • 📚 Storytelling sessions and workshops.


These markets not only celebrate Native traditions but also create bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.





🎙️ Listen to Angelina Hilton on Getting Real with Bossy

Discover Angelina’s full story and how she’s turning her passion into purpose by listening to her latest interview on Getting Real with Bossy.


Vote for us in City Magazine's





📍 Upcoming Events:

  • On Native Land Exhibit: Open through December 13 at Rochester City Hall.

  • National Native American Heritage Day Friday November 29, 2024

  • Native Made Market: Small Business Saturday November 30 featuring Indigenous goods and traditions at High Falls – 60 Brown’s Race, Rochester NY 14614


🌐 Learn more and support Native Made here: https://nativemadehq.com/


What inspires you most about Angelina’s story and the incredible events happening this month? Share your thoughts below! ✨


9 views1 comment

1 Comment


Guest
Nov 26

Thanks for bringing us all together Angelina!

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