IPOP Culture Awards
Celebrating the artists, storytellers, advocates, and community builders who have shaped Indigenous pop culture — and the movement that uplifts them.
The IPOP Culture Awards were established at IndigiPopX 2024 to formally recognize outstanding contributions to Indigenous pop culture — in comics, film, television, gaming, music, advocacy, and beyond.
IndigiQueer Night, a signature programming event created by Director Kristin Hoover Gentry — a Two Spirit artist — has been a cornerstone of the awards celebration since the beginning, centering Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Indigenous voices.
Inaugural IPOP Culture Awards
"The first of many."
📍First Americans Museum — Oklahoma City, OK
The inaugural ceremony was held during IndigiPopX 2024 at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. The Jeffrey Veregge Memorial Award was presented in honor of the beloved Coast Salish artist and Marvel Comics illustrator.
Jeffrey Veregge Memorial Award
MemorialPresented in Jeffrey Veregge's Honor
MemorialHonoring the legacy of Jeffrey Veregge — Coast Salish artist, Marvel Comics illustrator, and beloved member of the Indigenous pop culture community. Presented at the inaugural ceremony in his memory.
IPOP Culture Award
Jay Odjick
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
Comics & Visual ArtAlgonquin comic book creator and animator recognized for his work on Kagagi and his decades of contribution to Indigenous comics and storytelling.
IPOP Culture Award
Jon Proudstar
Yaqui
Film & TelevisionYaqui actor and creator of Tribal Force — the first all-Native superhero comic — recognized for his contributions to Indigenous representation in comics and on screen.
IPOP Culture Award
Dr. Courtney Lewis
Scholarship & EducationRecognized for scholarship and educational contributions advancing Indigenous pop culture studies and community knowledge.
IPOP Culture Award
Sterlin Harjo's Reservation Dogs
Seminole / Muscogee
Film & TelevisionThe groundbreaking FX series — created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi — recognized for transforming Indigenous representation in television with an all-Indigenous writers room, cast, and crew.
IPOP Culture Award
Joseph Erb
Cherokee Nation
Technology & InnovationCherokee Nation citizen and pioneering developer of Cherokee language technology, recognized for his work creating digital tools and fonts that support Indigenous language revitalization.
IPOP Culture Award
Arigon Starr
Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
Comics & MusicKickapoo musician, actor, and comic book creator — author of Super Indian — recognized for her pioneering work bringing Indigenous superheroes and humor to comics and her decades of contribution to Indigenous pop culture.
IPOP Culture Awards — Year Two
"The East Coast arrives."
📍Penn Pavilion Main Stage — Duke University, Durham, NC
Held on November 15, 2025 at the Penn Pavilion Main Stage during IndigiPopX "Continuum" at Duke University in Durham, NC. Emceed by Tom Farris.
Jeffrey Veregge Memorial Award
Roy Boney Jr.
Cherokee Nation
Comics & Visual ArtCherokee Nation artist recognized for preserving language and storytelling through contemporary digital art and comics. Recipient of the Jeffrey Veregge Memorial Award in Year Two — the first person to receive the award named in honor of the beloved Coast Salish artist.
Jonathan Joss Memorial Award
Lisa Fruichantie
Seminole / Mvskoke
Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+Recognized for transformative Two Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ community leadership.
Lifetime Achievement Award
MemorialDale DeForest
Diné
Lifetime AchievementRecognized for reshaping Indigenous representation in media. Dale DeForest is also the co-creator of the IPX logo and designer of the Dizi Twins.
IPOP Culture Award
Americans for Indian Opportunity / LaDonna Harris
Comanche
Advocacy & CommunityComanche activist and founder of Americans for Indian Opportunity, recognized for a lifetime of advocacy for Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and cultural visibility.
Signature programming
IndigiQueer Night
A dedicated space centering Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Indigenous voices — created by Director Kristin Hoover Gentry. Explore the full history of this signature event.
More recipients to be added.
Research is ongoing. If you were a recipient or know of an awardee we've missed, reach out.
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