Wisconsin artist Kay LeClaire accused of faking Native American heritage

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The co-owner of a queer Indigenous artists’ collective in Wisconsin is going through accusations of being white after claiming to carry Native American heritage, in accordance with a report.

Kay LeClaire, who identifies as non-binary, allegedly faked their indigenous heritage and used the entrance to earn a living, in accordance with a neighborhood outlet.

LeClaire was accused in an internet discussion board of truly being white after claiming since 2017 they had been of Metis, Oneida, Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Cuban and Jewish heritage, Madison 365 reported on Tuesday.

LeClaire, additionally a founding member of the collective and rising chief within the Madison Indigenous arts group, earned artist stipends, a paid residency on the College of Wisconsin, talking gigs, and artwork exhibitions with the assistance of their Native American declare.

However LeClaire, who glided by the Native American identify nibiiwakamigkwe, was allegedly uncovered after a hobbyist genealogist posted proof of LeClair’s actual family tree on an internet discussion board, Madison 365 reported. The web discussion board person, AdvancedSmite, informed Madison 365 that questions on LeClaire’s claims led to some digging.

Kay LeClaire in 2012
Kay LeClaire earned artist stipends and a paid residency on the College of Wisconsin with the assistance of their Native American declare.
by way of Madison365

The person, who didn't wish to reveal their precise identification to the outlet, used on-line data and assets to attach LeClaire’s lineage to German, Swedish and French Canadian and posted the findings on a discussion board.

LeClaire didn’t solutions questions when contacted by Madison 365, however as an alternative despatched an extended assertion. LeClaire reportedly stated any culturally associated objects they'd are being given again to the group and vowed to not search new grants whereas taking themselves off present grants.

“I'm sorry,” they reportedly wrote. “Numerous info has come to my consideration since late December. I'm nonetheless processing all of it and don't but know methods to reply adequately. What I can do now could be supply change.

Kay LeClaire in traditional garb
The allegations have led to LeClaire’s elimination from a collective artist group.
by way of Madison365

“Transferring ahead, my efforts shall be in direction of lowering hurt by following the instructions offered by Native group members and community-specified proxies. At the moment, which means I'm not utilizing the Ojibwe identify given to me and am eradicating myself from all group areas, positions, tasks, and grants and won't search new ones.”

It’s unclear what that info from December was.

The collective stated in an Instagram submit the group and LeClaire parted methods as of Dec. 31, 2022.

“The collective at giige want to lengthen our gratitude and utmost sympathy to the Indigenous group inside and surrounding Teejop within the wake of the current revelation of the various harms dedicated by former co-founder Kay Le Claire,” a part of the submit learn. “Proof has come to gentle indicating that Kay Le Claire has made false claims relating to their heritage, their artwork, and their place locally.”

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