April 26, 2025.
Native American artist Danielle Seewalker and the Town of Vail Colorado settled a federal civil rights lawsuit after she sued the town for violating her free speech rights when it revoked her summer residency last year over a painting she shared on social media.
The lawsuit was brought against Vail by the ACLU of Colorado in October 2024, following the cancellation of SeeWalker’s 2024 Artist in Residence with the town of Vail.
Danielle had her Artist in Residence revoked after she shared a painting titled “G is for Genocide.” The painting draws parallels between what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza and the genocide of Indigenous people in the United States.
The ACLU of Colorado sued Vail on behalf of SeeWalker, alleging her free speech rights were violated under the state and federal constitutions when Vail abruptly canceled her residency.
“This settlement shows that the government cannot get away with violating the First Amendment by retaliating because of speech it does not like,” said Tim Macdonald, ACLU of Colorado legal director, in a statement “Vail cancelled Ms. SeeWalker’s artist-in-residency because of the viewpoint of her speech. This action follows a long pattern of suppressing and censoring the voices of Native American people, but Ms. SeeWalker bravely said ‘Not this time;’ and this settlement shows that individuals pushing back can make a difference.”
What the town of Vail agreed to in the SeeWalker settlement
- Funding a new art program for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged people, including people of Native American ancestry.
- Hosting an annual powwow to be organized by SeeWalker for the next five years, free of rental fees and maintenance charges.
- Sponsoring and paying for a non-public community forum on Israel and Palestine that includes members of Vail’s Jewish community, Palestinian community, Muslim community, and other faith and community leaders.
- Providing annual cultural sensitivity training to employees in the Arts and Public Places Department for the next five years by an indigenous-led organization.
Through SeeWalker’s eyes
In a statement, SeeWalker said the town of Vail has not formally or publicly apologized to her. But she’s grateful for the important policy changes included in the settlement. She takes them as an indication that “the town of Vail knew they were in the wrong.”
In our view hosting a Pow Wow in Vail is inappropriate because it puts all Native American Cultures on display as a Tourist Trap instead of honoring the values and spiritual teachings of a true Pow Wow along with ACLU taking credit, when in our view the truth appears to be that unless the ACLU gets media attention they really are not there to be of any help to those that really need it.
Jews vs Palestine has absolutely nothing to do with Native Americans, it is a "Right to Free Speech" issue nothing more. This is nothing more than an artist looking for media attention, manipulating them for her advantage playing off her heritage and appearance as a stereotypical looking Native. If she was over weight, had pimples or blonde hair would this have been covered? Doubt it.
Yes for those that are ignorant ......the truth is not all Natives look alike. We have many blond haired Federally Recognized Tribal Members that have to put up with stupid remarks like "You don't look like an Indian" .
To repeat in "our view" the ACLU is all about the ACLU......the Vail Pow Wow will be nothing more than reinforcing Stereotypes about Federally Recognized Tribal Members. We predict that the Denver Mainstream Media will use it as an excuse to get out of Denver. The artist in question will use it to sell more art, Vail will make more money on sales tax revenue but will any Native American Tribal Members living on Reservations trying to make a living with their art be served? Yet to be seen. It is very expensive to stay in Vail. The Return on Investment for your average Native American Artist is going to be hard unless their tribe pays for the trip.
We wish Danielle well because everyone deserves to make a living doing what they love, but the fact is she is no hero she is just trying to sell art. And the ACLU appears to be using Native American Issues as just another way to get another donation. "IN OUR VIEW" .
"IN OUR VIEW" is a legal disclaimer.
