✅ Appreciation means supporting Indigenous artists directly. When you purchase from us, you're not just buying a shirt—you're:

• Celebrating Indigenous culture with respect

• Ensuring artists receive fair compensation for their work

• Helping preserve traditions for future generations
  Every design is created to be worn with pride while honoring its roots. This is how cultural exchange should work.

❌ Appropriation happens when:

• Sacred symbols or designs are taken out of context

• Non-Native companies profit from Indigenous art without permission or understanding

• Cultural elements are treated as costumes or trends
  By choosing True Descendants, you're rejecting exploitation and supporting authentic representation.

This is more than fashion—it's a movement.

From 1915 to 1959, Rufus was a live bobcat who served as the University of Arizona's mascot. His story mirrors the struggles of many Indigenous people: captured by an Army blacksmith, sold for $9.41 to university freshmen, and forced into captivity as a mascot. Tragically, during a stunt in his first year, Rufus fell and was hanged to death—a life cut short for entertainment.

When I learned this history, I felt a deep connection. Rufus was taken from his homeland, exploited, and ultimately killed—a narrative all too familiar to Native communities. That’s why I named my maze design after him: to honor his story and resilience.

A Chilling Synchronicity

I designed Rufus during the COVID lockdown, finishing on April 10, 2020—but I didn’t name him until April 17. Later, I discovered that April 17 was the exact day Rufus died 105 years earlier. To me, this wasn’t coincidence; it was confirmation.

Some questioned if the design disrespected the maze tradition, but every elder I shared it with smiled. Their joy told me this was good medicine. The universe’s timing—naming Rufus on the anniversary of his death—felt like a sign that this tribute was meant to be.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Rufus’ memory lives on through art. Explore the Rufus Collection in our True Descendants store—where culture, history, and resilience meet design.

"This isn’t just a mascot’s story—it’s ours."

When Spanish settlers first arrived in the Santa Cruz Valley, they asked the Sobaipuri O'odham people about this place. The O'odham said "Cuk Ṣon" (pronounced "Chuk Shon"), meaning "Black Base" - referring to the dark volcanic rock at the base of Sentinel Peak (A-Mountain).

To Spanish ears, this sounded like "Tucson" - and the name stuck.

This story reminds us that every time we say "Cuk Ṣon" we're speaking a word that has traveled from the O'odham language through history to our lips today. At True Descendants, we honor this linguistic legacy and the Indigenous people who first named this land.

Radio Show KCXU.fm

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