In Memoriam: Coya Hope White Hat‑Artichoker
Today we remember our former board member, Coya Hope White Hat-Artichoker (she/her), for her tireless work on behalf of Indigenous reproductive rights and Two Spirit people everywhere. And for the compassion, clarity, humor, and courage that she brought to every interaction and relationship.
Coya was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota and was a proud enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She had been doing activist work in various communities and movements since the age of 15.
She was a founding member of the First Nations Two Spirit Collective, working to build a stronger political presence for Two Spirit people within the national dialogue of queer rights. She was an Advisory Committee member for the Host Home Program, working to provide safe homes for homeless queer youth. And she served on several boards including the American Indian OIC, PFund, SisterSong, and the American LGBTQ+ Museum. Early in her activist life, she was involved with the OUT Fund for Gay and Lesbian Liberation, the LGBTQ youth organization District 202 in Minneapolis, and the National Youth Advocacy Coalition as a leader in the queer youth movement.
Remembering Coya, Solidaire Network, her most recent employer, wrote, “Coya’s visionary leadership brought the world’s first fund dedicated to Indigenous reproductive justice, Building the Fire Fund, into existence. Guided by an Indigenous Advisory Council of women and Two Spirit leaders from across Turtle Island, the fund represents a powerful testament to Coya’s dedication and collaborative spirit.”
She or her writing has appeared in: Go Magazine, “Women we Love 2022”, After Stonewall, (After Stonewall Productions) a film; The Advocate; “40 under 40” LGBT Leaders in the United States for 2010; “Sharing Our Stories of Survival” (Altamira Press 2007), the blogs the Bilerico Project; and The Huffington Post.
We were privileged to work with Coya as we formed the early vision and plans for the Museum. She always returned to the values of intersectional liberation and deep honoring of our ancestors. Her memory will live on in this Museum. We are proud to remember her as one of our founding board members.