About Me

An Introduction to the Artist

This page is an introduction to me as an artist and as a person as well as owner of Nde trading post based out of denver colorado. I created it to introduce myself to the people who come across my work and to share the story, family, culture, and experiences that have shaped who I am. My art, music, dancing, and creative work are all influenced by where I come from, the people who raised me, and the Indigenous heritage I carry with me.

For me, creativity is not separate from who I am. My identity, my family, my experiences, and my connection to my heritage all become part of what I create. Through my art and music, I share pieces of my story while honoring the people and traditions that helped shape me.

My name is Isaiah Paul Fastbadger Servantez, also known by my Ndé name, Hwiigo Naogoosch’idn (Fastbadger). I received this name through the elders who surrounded me, and it has become an important part of who I am and my connection to my Apache heritage.

I come from a family whose roots stretch across the Southwest and Northern Mexico, connecting me to the Jicarilla Apache The Gót'ghããn, the Plains People, to the North or (Red Clan) , Cochiti, Isleta, Santa Clara, Yaqui, and Xi’ui (Pame) peoples. These are not simply names or identities I claim as part of my story. They represent documented ancestral bloodlines within my family genealogy, connecting me through generations to Indigenous ancestors, including ancestors who were enrolled members of their respective tribal communities. Their names, family relationships, and connections to these communities are part of the ancestral history I carry forward.

Through my paternal grandfather, Tony Servantez, my family lineage connects to the Jicarilla Apache (Gót'ghããn – Red Clan) and Cochiti peoples. Through my paternal grandmother, Elma Santillanes, my family also connects to Isleta Pueblo and Santa Clara Pueblo. On my mother’s side, my grandmother Annie Aleman connects me to Yaqui ancestry, while my maternal grandfather, Damasio “Macho” Aleman, connects me to the Xi’ui (Pame) people of San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

These family lines connect me to generations of Indigenous ancestors whose lives, communities, and histories existed long before me. Their stories are part of my family history, and I believe preserving that history is a responsibility that should be carried forward rather than forgotten.

Where I Come From

I was raised in a Southwestern Indigenous family with a tradition of seasonal agricultural work. My family traveled from state to state—including Texas, California, Illinois, Nebraska, and Wyoming—following farm work and doing what was necessary to provide for one another. Eventually, our family put down roots in Torrington, Wyoming.

Growing up this way taught me that family means showing up, working hard, adapting when life changes, and never forgetting where you came from. The movement, the work, and the experiences of my family became part of the foundation I stand on today.

My own experiences working throughout Denver and Colorado further shaped my understanding of responsibility, perseverance, and working-class life. Those experiences taught me that strength is not always about having an easy path—it is about continuing forward when the path is difficult.

My Culture & Creativity

I am an Indigenous artist, musician, grass dancer, and activist. Creativity is one of the ways I express myself, understand my experiences, and stay connected to the heritage that has been passed down through my family.

I enjoy grass dancing, producing and mixing music, drawing, painting, and exploring different forms of visual and creative expression. Whether I am dancing in regalia, creating artwork, producing music, or learning from the elders and traditions around me, I see these things as ways of keeping something alive.

My art and music are more than hobbies. They are ways for me to express my experiences, honor my ancestors, connect with my heritage, and tell stories that deserve to be remembered and not forgotten.

I believe that no matter your blood quantum or where you were raised, you should always honor and respect who you are and where you come from. For me, that means recognizing the people, family, elders, communities, and ancestors who helped shape the person I am today.

Everything I create is another way of carrying that story forward.

[The census rolls include are linked to tony servantez my grandfathers bloodline only]