Quannah Chasinghorse

Quannah Rose Chasinghorse (born June 7, 2002) is an American fashion model and environmental activist. Recognized for her distinctive Indigenous facial tattoos (Yidįįłtoo) and advocacy for Indigenous rights and land preservation, she has gained international prominence within the fashion industry. Chasinghorse represents both the Hän Gwich'in of Alaska and Canada and the Lakota people of South Dakota, blending high-fashion modeling with Indigenous cultural advocacy.

Early Life and Heritage

Chasinghorse was born in Tuba City, Arizona, located within the Navajo Nation. She grew up between Arizona, New Mexico, Mongolia, and Alaska, eventually settling in Kenny Lake and Fairbanks, Alaska. She belongs to the Hän Gwich'in tribe from her mother's side and the Sicangu and Oglala Lakota tribes from her father's side. Raised with a deep connection to her ancestral roots, she learned traditional hunting, fishing, and wilderness survival skills. At age 19, she received her traditional Yidįįłtoo chin and eye tattoos, honoring her Hän Gwich'in heritage and breaking long-standing societal taboos around Indigenous facial markings in mainstream media.

Modeling Career

Chasinghorse began her modeling journey after being featured in a 2020 Calvin Klein campaign. She subsequently signed with IMG Models and made her runway debut at New York Fashion Week in late 2021. Her profile rose significantly after attending the Met Gala, where her red-carpet appearances featured traditional Native American jewelry and designs, earning widespread praise for Indigenous representation. She has walked for leading fashion houses including Chanel, Chloé, Gucci, and Prabal Gurung, and has appeared on the covers of major international publications such as Vogue Mexico, Vogue Japan, Elle, and National Geographic.

Activism and Media

Alongside her fashion career, Chasinghorse is an outspoken land protector and climate justice activist. She has worked extensively with the Gwich'in Steering Committee and the International Gwich'in Youth Council to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling. In addition to public speaking at environmental summits, she has lent her voice to nature and environmental documentaries, including narrating the film Bad River in 2024. In 2023, USA Today named her one of its Women of the Year in recognition of her ongoing environmental and social advocacy.