Debra Yepa-Pappan

Debra Yepa-Pappan (Jemez Pueblo/Korean) is a visual artist and the co-founding director of exhibitions and programs at the Center for Native Futures, a vibrant contemporary art space located in Downtown Chicago that is dedicated to supporting Native artists. She previously served as the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Field Museum, where her work was crucial in developing the current Native Truths exhibition. Her multimedia art practice combines digital collage and photography, focusing on themes related to her mixed-race identity, cultural heritage, family and home, as she incorporates Pueblo and urban aesthetics. Her works can be found in various museum and private collections worldwide.

Through her artwork and her role at the Center for Native Futures, she is dedicated to changing inaccurate representations of Native people, advocating for the inclusion of Native voices and perspectives, and supporting other Native artists. She currently serves on the Terra Foundation’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and on the Cultural Advisory Council in the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Debra lives in Chicago with her husband, artist Chris Pappan, and their daughter, performing artist Ji Hae Yepa-Pappan.