Quannah Chasinghorse

Quannah Rose Chasinghorse-Potts (born c. 2002) is an American model and actress. She is Sicangu Lakota and Hän Gwich'in and has appeared on the 2020 Teen Vogue list of Top 21 under 21.

Quannah Chasinghorse
Born	Quannah Rose Chasinghorse-Potts 2002 (age 22–23) Tuba City, Arizona, U.S.
Occupations	Model actress
Years active	2019–present
Parents	Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse (father) Jody Potts-Joseph (mother)
Modelling information
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Hair colour	Dark Brown
Eye colour	Brown
Agency	The Society Management

Career

Chasinghorse was interested in modeling and fashion from a young age but, due to the lack of Indigenous representation she saw in magazines and fashion shows, did not think it was feasible as a career.^[1] In 2020, she landed a job with Calvin Klein for their one future #ckone youth campaign. She signed with IMG Models and initially worked from Fairbanks, Alaska.^[2][3]

She has since been featured on the covers of Vogue Mexico,^[4] Vogue Japan,^[5] V Magazine, Elle, and Porter.^[6]

She became recognised for her traditional Alaskan Native face tattoos called Yidįįłtoo, which her mother gave her. In the 21st century indigenous girls and women have begun to reclaim these as part of an ancient ritual and assertion of identity.^[7]

Chasinghorse celebrates indigenous fashion and promotes sustainable indigenous brands. Her red carpet look at the Gilded Age-themed Met Gala in May 2022 went viral on social media.^[8] The Navajo-inspired outfit was created by Peter Dundas, Tabitha Simmons, Gucci Westman, and 2006 Miss Navajo Nation Jocelyn Billy-Upshaw, a family friend.^[9] Refinery29 called her the "breakout star" of the event.^[10] That same week, she walked her first runway at New York Fashion Week.^[11]

In March 2023, Chasinghorse was named one of USA TODAY's Women of the Year honorees for her advocacy of "issues of environmentalism, sustainability, women's rights and Native American rights."^[12]

In 2023, she appeared in "House Made of Bongs", an episode in season 3 of Reservation Dogs, playing the younger version of the character Irene.^[13] In August 2024, Quannah changed modeling agencies to The Society Model Management and Elite Models Worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life

Born on the Navajo Nation in Tuba City, Arizona,^[14] Chasinghorse is Hän Gwich'in of the Native Village of Eagle in Eagle Village, Alaska, on her mother Jody Potts-Joseph's side. Her biological father is Nathan Chasing Horse (Sicangu-Oglala Lakota from South Dakota).^[15][16]

Chasinghorse spent her early childhood with her mother in Arizona, Mongolia (where her maternal grandparents were missionaries), and New Mexico before the family returned to her maternal homelands in Alaska when she was six.^[17] She and her two brothers were raised to hunt, fish, and dog mush, by their single mother, who taught them a subsistence lifestyle.^[18][19] She lived in Kenny Lake and then Fairbanks.^[17] She attended Effie Kokrine Charter School.^[20]

Chasinghorse is a fourth-generation land protector for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of the Alaska Wilderness League.^[21][22] She said she does not want future generations to have to keep fighting. At age 17, she sat on the International Gwich’in Youth Council, traveling to Washington, D.C., New York, and Colorado. She lobbied against oil leasing that would damage the refuge and supported HR 11-46, a bill that would permanently protect the land. She participated in climate rallies both locally and in Denver. She has spoken on climate action and indigenous rights at a number of events and panels.^[23][24]