Marlana Thompson

Biography Marlana Thompson (Akwesasne Mohawk, Wolf clan) was born in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, in 1978. Her family members are artists and include basket makers and quilters. She is married to actor Wayne Baker of the Squamish Nation, Raven clan. She has had a brief cameo on Beyond, an American television series.

Artwork Thompson creates Haudenosaunee raised beadwork, She made powwow dance regalia, first for her family, then other dancers began commissioning her to make custom regalia in 1990s. Finally, she became a full-time artist and also creates beaded jewelry. Her work has been featured in fashion shows in Toronto (Sky Dome Powwow); Akwesasne (Akwesasne International Powwow); She made moccasins for Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, in which Indigenous artists showcased and taught their moccasin-making techniques with Indigenous youth.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she created face masks that reflect her Mohawk Haudenosaunee culture.

One of her beaded facial masks, Ononkwashon:a / Medicinal Plants won a judge's choice award in Masked Heroes (2020). Another mask in the same series was included in the Smithsonian American Art Museum Renwick Gallery's survey exhibition, This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World (2022–23) in Washington, DC.

Collections Smithsonian American Art Museum Adirondack Experience