A personal journey unfolds as the narrator bridges cultural gaps on Pine Ridge Reservation, partnering with Lakota artists to preserve and promote their authentic cultural artistry through meaningful marketplace representation and economic opportunities.
Her Story
About Candace
Candace Grant is a cultural arts advocate and retired special educator who has dedicated her career to uplifting others through education and the arts. After earning her M.Ed. in Special Education from Concordia University–Portland, she spent more than 20 years teaching math, reading, and writing to students with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disabilities. Known for her creative, evidence-based teaching strategies, Candace made learning accessible and engaging, with her co-taught classes serving as exemplars across schools and her conference presentations recognized for advancing best practices in special education.
Following her retirement from education, Candace discovered the powerful artistry of Oglala Lakota creators on the Pine Ridge Reservation and founded Lakota Arts and Crafts Enterprise. In this role, she works directly with artists to bring their work to a national stage, ensuring that their voices, traditions, and cultural heritage are honored and shared. Today, Lakota artistry is featured in the gift shops of Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park, History Colorado, and beyond—helping create sustainable market access for Native artists.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Candace is committed to service and community. She has volunteered with Boulder County Therapy Dogs, bringing comfort to patients alongside her therapy dog, and has served on the Douglas County Historic Preservation Board, promoting the awareness and protection of local history. Whether in the classroom, through cultural advocacy, or in her community work, Candace’s mission has always been to create meaningful connections and expand opportunities for others to thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Candace
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to using creativity to persevere and overcome challenges, driven by a love of solving problems, collaborating with others, and staying focused on purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received wasn’t really advice—it was a powerful lesson: when I made a mistake and someone forgave me, I learned the value of humility, accountability, and how compassion fosters growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself and your abilities. When you fail, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges of fairly supporting Native American artists, finding new markets, and balancing retailer prices are also opportunities to innovate, build partnerships, and elevate Indigenous art in new spaces.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Curiosity, creativity, and collaboration guide my work, and I’m passionate about helping Native American artists grow and share their talents with the world.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Candace
From Creativity to Collaboration: Championing Native Voices Through Art
Bridging Cultural Gaps: A Journey to Preserve and Promote Native American Artistry
The unusually hot September sun beat down as I hammered planks into place for a wheelchair ramp on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Sweat stung my eyes. My hands were blistered, my back sore—and yet my purpose was clearer than ever. Amid the sweat and sawdust, I was searching for two Lakota artists whose work I’d only seen in photos—one who carved Spirit Horses, rooted in the horse dance stick tradition, and another who created wall hangings from Lakota symbols.
My shelves were already filled with Dineh (Navajo) carvings, Acoma pottery, kachina dolls, weavings, and dolls from the Crow, Blackfoot, and Shoshone. But in northern Colorado, far from the Southwest, I noticed something unsettling: tourist gift shops overflowed with Dineh jewelry and kachina dolls as well as Pueblo pottery—while the artistry of the Plains people, whose history is tied to this land, was almost invisible.
After days of searching, I finally stumbled upon a Spirit Horse in a Pine Ridge trading post, far off the tourist path. I left my name and number. The call from the artist didn’t come until after I had left the reservation. When it did, we spoke for hours about his Spirit Horses—carvings that carry forward the Lakota tradition of honoring a horse’s spirit through song and ceremony, honoring its bravery and companionship. That conversation became the first step in a partnership.
When the purchase orders came in from three national parks, the artist who created the wall hangings said simply, “This is the big dog.” His words carried both pride and relief. For the first time, their creations weren’t just souvenirs on a shelf—they were recognized as living culture, tied to the very landscapes that shaped them.
Today, I work with multiple artists, expanding their reach through gift shops and new products that carry royalties back to them. For me, influence is not about spotlighting myself—it’s about ensuring that Native voices, traditions, and livelihoods shine brighter with every sale. My vision is simple: when people visit these lands, they leave with more than a souvenir. They carry home a story. A tradition. a piece of living culture.
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