Press Release

SWAIA Announces 2026 Board Appointments

Leslie Wheelock (Onedia Nation) elected Board Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—February 4, 2026; Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is pleased to announce the Executive Committee of its Board of Directors for 2026. The former Chair of the Board, Dawn Houle, and the former Treasurer of the Board, Tom Teagarden, have reached the end of their terms as Executive Committee Chair and Treasurer, respectively. Both Dawn and Tom will continue to play important roles supporting the organization’s continuing growth. SWAIA thanks both Dawn and Tom for their service, leadership, and dedication. Their commitment and contributions have played an important role in moving SWAIA forward and shaping what the organization is today.

Leslie Wheelock has been appointed new Board Chair. Wheelock is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, and the first Native American to serve as a trustee at Cornell University. She owns and operates Wheelock Consulting, PLLC, specializing in tribal legal, business, and management consulting, and also serves on the Board of the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. She has served on SWAIA’s board of directors since 2024.

Image Courtesy of SWAIA

SWAIA’s 2026 Executive Committee also includes Vice Chair, JoAnn Chase (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation); Secretary, Randy Chitto (Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians); and Treasurer, Nicole Johnnie (Navajo Nation).

“Empowered Resilience: Centuries in the Making” is SWAIA’s 2026 tagline, setting the tone for the year ahead as the organization continues to champion Native North American artists year-round. This year’s 104th annual Santa Fe Market will take place on Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16. For more information and to plan your visit, see swaia.org.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Audrey N. Rubinstein
505-490-5029 | audrey@themettaagency.com

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ABOUT SWAIA:

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is a 104-year-old non-profit organization supporting Native North American art and culture. SWAIA creates economic and cultural opportunities for Native North American artists by producing and promoting the Santa Fe Indian Market ™— the largest and most prestigious Native art event in the world, Native Fashion Week and Winter Indian Market.

Since 1922 SWAIA has cultivated excellence and innovation across traditional and non-traditional art forms—developing programs and events that support, promote and honor Native North American artists year-round. www.swaia.org