Art | Tradition | Support
Founded with a vision to honor and uplift Indigenous voices, the Walker Youngbird Foundation strives to create a world where Native artists can reshape cultural perceptions, preserve heritage, and drive societal change through artistic innovation.
Our team
REID WALKER
Founder
As a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation of North Dakota, Reid's deep connection to his heritage informs his mission to support and promote emerging Native American artists.
While maintaining land on his reservation in North Dakota, Reid's professional journey has led him to Washington, D.C. and New York City. His career has focused on communications and marketing as well as advancing Native American interests.
Reid's passion for art is evident in his active engagement with several leading institutions including:
- Board of Trustees member at the Phillips Collection
- Member of the Collectors Committee at the National Gallery of Art
Combining his extensive experience in strategic communications with his deep appreciation for contemporary Native art, Reid established the Walker Youngbird Foundation. Through the Foundation, he aims to bridge the gap between traditional Native American art forms and contemporary artistic expression, fostering a new generation of Native artists and ensuring their voices are heard in the global art community.
NINA O’NEIL
Foundation Director
Nina has been matching collectors & art for over a decade. She founded the art advisory firm Monochrome Collective to help clients create focused, style-driven, visual experiences in their homes and businesses through art. Her work can be seen throughout DC and has been recognized in the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, and Washington Life.
Nina has held curatorial roles at many public and private museums including a decade at the National Gallery of Art.
Her deep passion for the arts will forever be tied to her first museum job, at The Museum of the Great Plains in her home town of Lawton, Oklahoma. The Walker Youngbird Foundation’s mission to provide support to native artists directly aligns with her continued interest and support of Native American artists.
Preserving Native heritage and allowing artists to tell their stories through their own voices is priceless, and Nina is proud to use her expertise and experience to supporting this mission.
TAYLOR COLBY
Program Director
Taylor (White Bear Woman, Mandan) is an accomplished fundraising and customer success professional with a decade of experience in nonprofit development and client relationship management. From health care to cultural heritage, she has spent her career driving resources and support to organizations that create meaningful change.
As a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Taylor’s connection to her heritage has always been central to her life. From childhood days spent on the reservation, to celebrating her son’s naming ceremony, Taylor’s native roots have shaped her personal journey.
Now at the Walker Youngbird Foundation, Taylor is committed to uplifting and empowering Native American artists, blending cultural preservation with modern creativity to create lasting impact within Indian Country.