My name is Isela Xospa and I am a freelance illustrator and editor. The graphic design project that I am developing is the result of a personal journey to find ways of asserting my indigenous identity in a contemporary and transnational context. Discovering and embracing my indigenous identity has given me the tools to build new ways of sharing an inner world that is heavily influenced by the culture of the indigenous people living south of Mexico City. Night of the paper balloons, 2019, by the author, Isela Xospa. For the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, I decided to share the work of young illustrators of indigenous origin and I am sharing them again in this article. I wanted to do this because there are not many illustrators out there who identify as indigenous. The other reason was that, far from trying to stereotype, I believe it is important to publish their work as a provocation that seeks to challenge the imagery and labels assigned to indigenous people and their representations. We must not waste these opportunities to question the formats and styles that are used to represent indigenous groups in the world of illustration. These should be treated as windows of opportunity to rebel against the imposition of the non-indigenous, to make our political stances known and to put forward suggestions, outcomes and ideas to encourage the creation of new narratives and readings, made by and for the indigenous population. For us, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is not a celebration of labels, customs or exoticisms. Instead, it must acknowledge the systematic attempts to erase us and to integrate us into a nation-state project, which has led to the loss of languages, territories, clothing, knowledge, health and opportunities of indigenous peoples. From the small place that inspired our creativity, some of us with our political views and others with the prevailing need to express ourselves vividly and visually, we will continue to create narratives for children, young people and adults from native populations. We hope that our stories will touch, transform and impact future generations of graphic storytellers who return to, use and embrace their culture. From our creative spaces, we share with you our visual libraries. Social media: Xospatronik XospatronikNYC @EXospatronik Mitzy Juárez is an illustrator and graphic designer from the Chocholteco Ngiba indigenous tribe in Oaxaca, southern Mexico. She was born and raised in a small, remote town on the plains of the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, home to the area’s most beautiful natural springs. The inspiration for Mitzy's drawings comes from the people, the language and the traditions with which she grew up. Through drawing, she has found a way of preserving the knowledge that she inherited from her community—the knowledge that she carries with her wherever she goes. ¡De la Milpa a la ciudad vino el elotito en el viento, cruzando mares y ríos, llanos, veredas y cerros! (Gabriel del Río) ¡Tchíxa! ¡El elotito! #inktober #chocholteco #ngiba #lenguasoriginarias #ilustración #winsorandnewton #pentel #ilustradoramexicana #elote #maiz #corn #illustration #nativelanguages A post shared by Mitzy Juárez (@mitzyjuarez.jpg) on The little corn was carried by the wind from the Milpa farms to the city, crossing seas and rivers, plains, roads and mountains! (Gabriel del Río) It's Tchíxa, the little corn! Social media: Mitzy Juárez Mitzy Juárez David Canul is originally from the Mayan territory of Campeche on the Gulf of Mexico. His hybrid work as a professional illustrator ranges from research books, poetry, content for children and even ceramics. He is also involved in organising, managing and promoting children’s and young adult literature festivals in the Yucatán Peninsula. Fantasías en bicicleta Técnica: scratch y color digital #scratch #pajarotojilustrador #drawing #illustration #illustratoroninstagram #illustragram #ilustracióninfantil #lij #illustrationartists #illustrationartist #illustrated #librosparaniños #illustracion #moreillustrations #illustrationnow #theillustrationroom #illustrator #illustratrice #illustrationoftheday #illustratorsoninstagram #instaart #instaartist #instartists #xolo #childrensbooks #creativeart #art_spotlight #artwork #artistoninstagram #art A post shared by PájaroToj Ilustrador (@pajarotoj.ilustrador) on Bicycle Fantasies Technique: scratch and digital colour Social media: Pájaro Toj Ilustrador El Pájaro Toj An element that stands out in Griss Romero's work is the jaguar, also known as “tekuani” or “tiger” and is one of the most important identity symbols in the state of Guerrero. Griss finds inspiration in the ancestral roots and culture of the Nahua community in Acatlán.