Shawna Shandíín Sunrise was raised as a 5th-generation Diné weaver through the matrilineage of her mother.  She learned all the aspects of creating from both her parents — weaving from her mother who is Diné (Navajo), and traditional performance and organizing from her father who was Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo.) She is a filmmaker, photographer, multi-media installation artist, performance artist, actress, producer, director, radio DJ, organizer, and weaver. At the moment she is an independent contractor in Native Media & Organizing.  She is also the owner of an indigenous design company called “Nizhónígo Anílééh” (In Diné/Navajo Language) meaning “make it beautiful designs.” She received an associate arts degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). She is also an Alumnus of the Americans of Indian Opportunity Ambassador Program and a former fellow for First Peoples Fund, WESTAF, and UN Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues. She wears many hats from production to education through social media. The work that she's evolving into is not about protesting or reacting, it is all about establishing a communication bond that will develop a deeper understanding between the community that she came and the rest of the world.