Willard malebear Jr.’s Story
Willard Malebear Jr. at the original Iktomi Tattoo/Art Shelf location
Long before Willard Malebear, Jr. opened a tattoo shop, art was how he connected with people.
Born in Minneapolis and raised primarily in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Willard grew up in a household where money was limited and creativity was part of everyday life. With the supplies his mother could afford, he drew and painted on cardboard boxes, teaching himself and discovering something he could share with others.
“That was truly, for the longest time in my life, my only mechanism of making friends,” he remembers.
Today, Willard, a Standing Rock Sioux artist, entrepreneur, father of five, and 2026 Bush Fellow, creates spaces where others can find connection through creativity. As the founder of Iktomi Tattoo, Art Shelf, and the Mni Sota Akitho Festival, his work brings together artistic expression, cultural connection, and opportunities for community members to build something of their own.
Finding a Way Forward
Willard speaks openly about the experiences that brought him here, including addiction, incarceration, and his commitment to sobriety.
After moving back to Minneapolis at 21, he continued developing his art and eventually became a tattoo artist. The work offered a level of income he had never experienced before, but he was still learning how to manage money while navigating an unhealthy relationship with substances.
During his second period of incarceration, Willard committed to sobriety. He also began recognizing how creativity could help people who were struggling with identity, community, and finding a way forward.
After his release, he gradually returned to tattooing. An opportunity to own a shop followed, giving him a place to bring creativity and wellness into his work as a business owner. That vision also helped give rise to Art Shelf, a nonprofit providing free art supplies, workshops, and community studio space.
Willard credits the people who shared their knowledge, relationships, and opportunities with him along the way.
“I definitely stand on the shoulder of my friends and their networks and their willingness to share their gifts of mentorship and opportunity with me,” he says.
Bringing a Vision to Life
Through his work as a tattoo artist, Willard saw an opportunity to bring contemporary Indigenous arts and cultural practices together.
After attending an Indigenous tattoo and music festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he and his collaborators began imagining a gathering closer to home. Their vision became the Mni Sota Akitho Festival, bringing together Indigenous tattoo artists, performers, and cultural practitioners from across the globe.
The gathering included tattooing, storytelling, creative activities, moccasin game, and drum and dance. Creating an alcohol-free event was central to their plans.
For Willard, it was his first time organizing an event of that scale. He had experience offering community art programming and music events, but securing funding and developing the business side of a festival were new territory.
A conversation at a community event introduced him to Mni Sota Fund.
Working with staff, Willard developed a business plan, prepared financial spreadsheets, and moved through the lending process. Financing helped him launch the festival, while connections to vendors and other resources helped support the broader vision.
What stayed with him was how the relationship felt.
“I felt like I was asking for a loan from a relative or from a family friend,” he says. “I never once felt like defeated or small when I was working with [Mni Sota Fund].”
He felt that staff understood what he was working toward and helped him identify the steps to get there.
“The staff at [Mni Sota Fund] walked me through literally every step of the process and made it feel achievable,” he says.
Building the Next Chapter
Willard’s work continues to grow. Through his 2026 Bush Fellowship, he plans to deepen his knowledge of nonprofit development and cultural programming, supporting his vision for creative wellness and greater opportunities for Indigenous artists and people affected by the justice system.
Iktomi Tattoo and Art Shelf are also preparing for a move to 2400 Hennepin Avenue South. The new location keeps both organizations in the same neighborhood while offering greater visibility and opportunities to connect. Plans include a December 1 grand opening for Iktomi Tattoo and renewed weekly programming for Art Shelf.
As he considers the future, Willard returns to the commitments he can practice every day: being sober, being a good father, growing as an artist, and showing up for his community.
He wants people who feel outside the circle to know there is a place for them within it.
“Part of the responsibility of getting through such a storm is to go back and walk others through that same path,” he says.
For others holding a business idea or community vision, Willard encourages taking the first step, even before every detail feels certain. His own experience began with questions and grew through relationships, planning, and support.
Now, through his businesses, programming, and community leadership, he continues opening doors for others to explore what might be possible.
Willard tattooing at the original Iktomi Tattoo location
