Red River High School Student Wins First Place at Prestigious SWAIA Indian Market

Niska Kempenich

Santa Fe, N.M. — Red River High School senior-to-be Niska Kempenich has been awarded first place at the 103rd Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Indian Market, earning her first blue ribbon for her painting “One Way.”

The award was presented in the 14-17 Youth Category for Painting, Drawing, Graphics & Photography , a division that celebrates the diversity and creativity of young Native artists across multiple two-dimensional art forms.

“One Way” was inspired by a once-in-a-lifetime mother-daughter bonding and educational trip to the Hana rainforest in Hawai‘i. During the trip, Niska encountered a weathered “One Way” road sign covered with stickers left by countless travelers while exploring biodiversity ecosystems. The image became both personal and symbolic: a reflection on the bond shared with her mother, the traces left by those who came before, and the reminder that new travelers will continue on the road after.

“It was a moment I’ll always remember,” Niska shared. “Though it was a road less traveled for me, thousands of others had walked it before, and many more will after. That sign became a reminder of something bigger — about time, memory, and connection.”

The honor continues a powerful family legacy. Niska is the third generation of the LaFountain family to receive a ribbon at SWAIA. Her late uncles, Presley and Bruce LaFountain, were world-renowned stone sculptors who began exhibiting at Indian Market in the 1970s and 1980s, paving the way for future Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa artists. Their legacy endures as their children, niece, and now great-niece carry the family’s artistry forward. This year, Niska’s cousin, Saige LaFountain, also received an Honorable Mention for his sculpture in the juried show. In 2017, at the age of 10, Niska received a SWAIA Youth Fellowship; and photos below include time in her late Uncle Presley's Santa Fe studio.

The Kempenich family attributes Niska’s success not only to the influence of multiple generations of artists but also to the programming and accessibility of the arts in the Grand Forks Public Schools and Greater Grand Forks community. Niska has been a vocal student advocate for keeping language and art programs in Grand Forks Public Schools. She also finished her final season with the Summer Performing Arts Company this summer, where she was recognized for her magnanimous congeniality and willingness to help her peers. Niska has also been part of the Dance, Etc! school since she was 18 months old. The family emphasizes the importance of continuing these programs and the financial wellness required to sustain them, thanking donors and supporters whose investment in the arts helps create well-rounded students prepared for both academic and personal success. They also continue to advocate for the success of the future Grand Forks Children’s Museum, which will place a strong emphasis on STEAM education as a critical part of preparing the next generation.

Niska is the granddaughter of Ken and Sheila Davis, and the great-granddaughter of the late Alfred and the late Mary Stella LaFountain, as well as the late Leo (Bud) and the late Theresa Davis. She represents the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa community with pride.

Outside of her artistry, Niska is a dedicated student with an interest in medical science and a growing curiosity in radiology. She is also an avid dancer with the Dance, Etc! school and a theater performer, balancing her academic and artistic pursuits with performance-based passions.

This year marked Niska’s final opportunity to compete in the youth division, while her sibling, Zoelle, has already aged out of the category. Both continue to pursue their artistic endeavors in different mediums, honoring their family’s creativity while charting new paths of their own.

Her mother, Hillary Kempenich, a multidisciplinary artist who has participated in Indian Market for more than a decade, reflected on her daughter’s accomplishment:

“I can’t even express how proud I am. Watching her carry forward our traditions with her own creativity is such a gift. Just today at lunch, I said how much I hope our LaFountain family has another generation of SWAIA artists to keep our artistry alive — and here she is, making it happen. I know Uncle Presley, Uncle Bruce, my grandparents, and so many relatives are smiling down with pride.”

With “One Way” inspired by travel, memory, and family, Niska’s award is both a personal achievement and a continuation of a legacy that has shaped Native art for generations.

About SWAIA Indian Market
The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) hosts the annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and most prestigious juried Native art show in the world. Now in its 103rd year, the event brings together hundreds of Indigenous artists representing diverse nations, traditions, and contemporary practices.

Photos Courtesy of Hillary Kempenich