Kaplan Bunce Kaplan Bunce, Apache wood-worker, and a mural artist, was born and raised in Washington State. Since he moved to Kaua’i, Hawaii over a decade ago, Bunce has experienced a steady affinity with Hawaiian cultures because they share similar qualities with mainland indigenous tribes, such as unification through culture, language, and oral traditions following a history of colonization. Bunce, whose Apache heritage is tied to Albuquerque, New Mexico, supports his Native heritage by dancing in powwows, raising his three daughters while instilling knowledge of their tribal identities, and reconnecting to indigenous spirituality through the Native American Church. “My life has changed dramatically in a good way,” he said of the effect of indigenous religious traditions on his soul. “My artwork comes from that ceremony.” Bunce is a veteran participant in the world renown mural event program POW-WOW and has been both a bridge and communicative advocate for the event which has to address appropriation concerns over its name. Bunce believes in progressing forward and continues to support selfactualization and reclamation of the indigenous identity alongside his family in Hawaii. He hopes to see indigenous art continue to evolve and grow. “You meet the coolest people out there on the streets. Sometimes you meet people out there who touch your life. My goal is to paint on as many reservations as I can,” he said. “I believe in humanity. I’ve reconciled with my own prejudices. I keep one foot in tradition, one foot moving forward.”