Dominique Daye Hunter: Healing Historical Trauma Through Storytelling and Empowerment.

Dominique Daye Hunter is a rising voice in the Afro-Indigenous community whose work as a storyteller, artist, and advocate is gaining attention for its blend of creative expression and cultural empowerment. As CEO of D. Daye Hunter Designs LLC and author of Seeds: Stories of Afro-Indigenous Resilience, Dominique channels her passion for sustainable fashion and poetry into a mission to address historical trauma and celebrate the resilience of Black and Indigenous communities.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Dominique plays a pivotal role as Program Manager for Indigenous East and Project Manager for the Yesá Language Immersion and Lifeways Conference. Her healing, stress management, and empowerment workshops offer vital tools for reclaiming personal power and overcoming systemic barriers. Splitting her time between Durham, NC, and Phoenix, AZ, Dominique is on a mission to create spaces for healing and transformation. In this interview, we explore her journey, the inspiration behind her work, and her vision for empowering communities through art and advocacy.

Your journey as an Afro-Indigenous storyteller and advocate is incredibly inspiring. What pivotal moments in your life led you to embrace storytelling as a tool for healing and empowerment in both Black and Indigenous communities?

In 2014, winning the Mesa Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Scholarship Award and the Heroes of Education Scholarship Award was pivotal in my journey as a storyteller. It made me realize the positive impact I could have on my community. Around the same time, in 2015, I began reconnecting with my family, deepening my understanding of our stories and legacy. As an Afro-Indigenous person navigating both Black and Native spaces, I intentionally introduced myself as Saponi, Black, Irish, and Polish, fully embracing all parts of my identity, especially in Arizona, where it wasn’t common to claim multiple ethnicities in Indigenous spaces.

A major turning point came in 2017 when I left an abusive relationship, reclaiming my Black identity with a pride I hadn’t felt since childhood—a pride that had been worn down by the anti-Blackness I experienced in Arizona. These experiences culminated in the release of my book "Seeds: Stories of Afro-Indigenous Resilience," confirming that I was on the right path, using storytelling as a healing tool and empowering myself and my community.

In your book Seeds: Stories of Afro-Indigenous Resilience, you explore the profound connections between historical trauma and the power of healing. Could you share an example from your book that illustrates this resilience and why it resonates so deeply with you?

In Seeds: Stories of Afro-Indigenous Resilience, the story “Buck, Hazel, and Rabbit,” set in the 1950s, resonates deeply with me. It follows three siblings—Buck (11), Hazel (13), and Rabbit (6)—who, along with their family, have been displaced from land they’ve lived on for over 300 years due to sharecropping and forced relocation. Hazel feels a strong connection to the land, understanding it as Yesáh territory, while Buck believes in their traditions of hunting and gathering but struggles with the reality that the land is no longer theirs.

The story captures the tension between maintaining a sense of place and facing the forced changes imposed by colonial systems. It beautifully reflects their resilience and determination to survive despite the hardships of displacement, and what moves me most is how the siblings come to terms with what they can and cannot control. It’s a story of loss, hope, and the resilience that defines the Afro-Indigenous experience.

As an artist specializing in sustainable fashion, how do you use your designs to communicate the stories and histories of Afro-Indigenous communities? What role do you think fashion plays in cultural identity and advocacy?

As a sustainable fashion artist, my designs communicate the living stories and histories of Afro-Indigenous communities. My goal is to show that our cultures are not relics of the past but vibrant, evolving entities. While threatened by colonization, remnants of our traditions and stories still thrive. Through my work, I aim to make people feel rooted in place and community, even in spaces where they may not feel "Native enough" or recognized at all.

One piece that embodies this is the Eastern Woodlands & Waterways gown I designed for Dr. Alexa Sutton for the 119th Explorers Club Annual Dinner. Inspired by her deep connection to the East Coast's forests and Gwynn Falls, the gown reflects her story of nature as a caretaker. The olive-green velvet skirt, lined with gold satin, symbolizes mid-Atlantic forests, while the cream satin blouse, adorned with freshwater pearls and gold beadwork of Gwynn Falls, is tied with deer sinew to represent balance and respect for nature.

Fashion plays a powerful role in cultural identity and advocacy, allowing us to reclaim space and assert our narratives. Through my designs, I aim to empower others to feel connected to their roots and proudly present themselves as part of a living legacy.

You lead workshops on topics like stress management, empowerment, and storytelling. What are some of the most impactful lessons or tools you provide to participants to help them navigate their own journeys of self-empowerment and cultural pride?

In my stress management, empowerment, and storytelling workshops, I provide tools to help participants reclaim their power, break through limitations, and embrace their unique cultural identities. One key lesson I emphasize is that your circumstances do not define you. While we may face victimization, our experiences do not determine who we are or what we can achieve. Shifting this perspective is essential for moving beyond a victim mentality and starting the journey toward healing and empowerment.

I also highlight the power of your voice. Your voice is uniquely yours, and when used intentionally, it can create a ripple effect that inspires change. I remind participants that their words and stories hold immense power to impact both their lives and their communities.

Another important tool is trusting your intuition. Creativity, in any form, can help reconnect us with our authentic selves and foster healing. Tapping into your inner voice through art, poetry, or other creative outlets builds a deeper relationship with yourself and promotes self-care.

Lastly, I stress the importance of creating safe spaces for healing and growth. Surviving hardship can lead to a purpose of building environments—physically and emotionally—where we and others can thrive. By embracing both our light and shadow, we bring balance and harmony to our lives and the communities we serve.

Keep up with her on Instagram @ddayehunter