Jakeli Swimmer
Jakeli Swimmer (b.1990), is an Eastern Band of Cherokee, EBCI, graphic designer and cartoonist residing on his ancestral homelands in Quallatown, NC. He is the creator of the satirical, observational, and humorous cartoon series Around the Boundary, which has had a steady following on social media among both Native and non-Native people.
“My cartoons derive from personal & everyday life, as well as observations and conversations within my homelands and throughout the larger Native communities. I believe my artistic approach through cartoons allows for the inclusion of feelings, interpretations, and expressions that, in turn, bring needed dialogue, critical thought, acknowledgment, and understanding; but most importantly, I aim to capture humor and laughter. My references often involve the childhood fascination with ‘90s cartoons and comics, but also the reimaging of racial and stereotypical Native cartoon characters I watched in my adolescence. By reclaiming these characters with accurate and contemporary portrayals, I hope to bring a much truer Native representation.”
Illustration of a Thunderbird with a feathered wing spread, holding dreams in its talons, set against a pink map of the Eastern Band of Cherokee.
An elderly man with glasses and a brown cap sitting among berry-laden evergreen branches, playing an acoustic guitar and smiling.
Line drawing of a young male runner with short hair, wearing a sleeveless shirt and pants, running in front of an American map outline. The map features various logos, including 'Run Across America,' 'Rez Hope Recovery and Consulting,' and the 'Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' emblem.
A yellow background features a logo in the top left corner with a caricature of a native American person and the text 'ABOUT THE BOUNDARY TIKI'. Centered is the text 'The Quallatown'. Below this is an illustration of an elk head with large antlers, outlined in white with brown detailing. Near the bottom right, there is a black text reading 'Jakeli Swimmer ©25'.
Comic-style illustration of a woman with black hair, wearing earrings, a gray blazer, and a shirt with the letters 'FB'. The top text reads 'That one uncle at any Cherokee gathering... You gonna eat yo beanbread!'