The Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans is home to the Mos Chukma Arts-as-Healing Institute, an indigenous art education collective that is now offering “shelter at home” classes.

The new series of classes is aimed at helping New Orleans youth process current circumstances as they relate to world events including the pandemic and social justice movements. All classes are taught through the lens of Native American indigenous educating, using storytelling, music, body movement, bi-lateral stimulation (also known as EMDR), vocabulary and self expression through art.

Art classes are free and filmed bi-weekly, then uploaded to the Mos Chukma Institute YouTube channel. Students only need a pencil, piece of paper and access to YouTube.

Mos Chukma Institute has been tackling trauma healing through art since 2006. According to founder Amelie Prescott, the organization offers a process by which students “develop an inner confidence” and gain “an opportunity to be seen and heard.” The 501c3 non-profit has an expressed mission of “reinforcing traditional tools in order to access and express the deep knowledge within each one of us.”

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