Nakona Forearm Crutches

Nakona Forearm Crutches for Kjell
Mixed media including brain-tanned deet pelt, diamond willow, and porcupine quills
Dimensions variable
2023

Nakona Forearm Crutches were made for Kjell Windchief, a Native American (Nakona) teenager living in Bozeman, MT, whose crutches assist Kjell in walking despite mobility challenges stemming from spinal surgeries.

WATSON WORKED with Kjell and his father, Sweeny Windchief, to design a pair of crutches that spoke to the strength of their Nakona ancestors, while also replacing the impersonal crutches with a new design representative of Kjell’s interests and identity. Sweeney worked with quillworker, Bill Mendoza (Oglala and Sicangu Lakota), to identify colors and images for the quillwork.

Kjell pointed out that carrying extra items such as a water bottle, keys, cell phone, wallet, etc. can be cumbersome while walking with crutches. Pockets were added to answer to these needs, improving the functionality of the crutches. Because Kjell is expected to grow, extensions were created to answer the need. Kjell was provided A series of matching diamond willow extensions that can be screwed into the tops of the crutches as his height increases.

KLJELL IS A COOL, active 16-year-old who, like any other teenager in Montana, has been raised on the adrenaline of outdoor sports. He and his family have discovered the means and tools that enable Kjell to ski, bike, and hike. Kjell embraces his Nakona heritage, guided and educated by his father on the traditions and practices of his ancestors.

However, like most medical tools, Kjell’s crutches show nothing about Kjell. Unlike his shirt, his backpack, or even his cell phone, traditional forearm crutches don’t give Kjell the opportunity to express himself or his identity. If anything, the non-descript designs of forearm crutches are meant to be “invisible,” intimating that the user’s condition should be as well.

The goal of this piece was to give Kjell crutches that represented him and his ancestors, improve upon the traditional forearm crutch design, and allow Kjell to express his identity through form and function.

A pair of cheaper metal and plastic crutches were retrofitted to become tools that referenced Kjell’s ancestors, in hopes he could tap into their endurance as he navigates through his life. Matching willow extensions that screw into the feet of the crutches were also provided. As Kjell continues to grow, the crutches can be lengthened as well.

Watson also commissioned and worked with leatherworker Matt Saporito, and Native American quillworker Bill Mendoza to reinvent Kjell’s crutches. It was a labor of love.