AMBYR CHILDERS: CHOCTAW SYMBOLISM IN DESIGNER JEWELRY
Ambyr Childers didn’t grow up knowing she was Choctaw. Born in Cottonwood, Arizona, she spent time with her great-grandparents in Prescott, and most especially, with her grandmother’s jewelry.
She was drawn to those pieces of turquoise and the history behind them. Her grandmother sat with her, told stories of each piece, teaching Ambyr where the jewelry came from — the Yavapai people.
Ambyr’s grandfather helped build homes for the Yavapai and gave them food in the cold winter months. To show their appreciation, the Yavapai gifted Ambyr’s grandparents turquoise jewelry, baskets, and stories. She grew up with these pieces in her life, and with an understanding of Native people.
When Ambyr’s parents moved to California, she was bitten by the acting bug. It became her passion. She currently stars on the NBC series Aquarius alongside David Duchovny, and recently co-produced her first feature film.
But downtimes between acting left Ambyr seeking artistic fulfillment. She began sketching jewelry designs, her thoughts casting back to those memories with her grandmother.
Around that time, Ambyr learned what it means to be Choctaw. Her parents went through the hard work of tracing her dad’s ancestry to an original enrollee on the Dawes Rolls. Her dad applied for and received his Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal card.
“Within my tribe, I found symbolism and history,” Ambyr says. “The things I learned gave me the strength to get through difficult times. I found my peace.
“Symbols like arrows and feathers are often taken for granted by the people who wear them. I decided to share the deeper meaning behind them throughout my jewelry line.”
A registered Choctaw artist with her company, Ambyr Childers Jewelry, Ambyr worked with the Historic Preservation Department to understand Choctaw symbols. The tribe named many of her pieces, such as the Humma and Naki Aiukli rings.
Ambyr shares this understanding with her two girls, ages 4 and 8.
“You get to a place in life where you care about those things, especially when you have children,” Ambyr says. “I want my kids to know so they can pass it on to their children. It’s all a part of your legacy.”
Ambyr also teaches her children the importance of giving back. She loves charity work and often includes her girls.
“This is part of teaching my children to be grateful for what they have,” Ambyr says. She supports the work at the Chahta Foundation as a way of giving back to her tribe which she says has given her so much.
When Ambyr learned how Choctaws have always respected and valued the role of women in daily life, she created one of her most meaningful pieces: the Sisterhood charm.
“You can give this Sisterhood piece to your grandmother, sisters, aunts, or best friend,” Ambyr says. “It constantly reminds us that as women, we’re part of a bigger tribe. We have to support one another and be loving to one another.”
While acting is Ambyr’s passion, her Choctaw heritage is helping her discover the meaning of life — of her life and her purpose.
“It’s all part of the journey,” she says.
You can follow more of Ambyr’s journey on Instagram @ambyrchildersjewerly and www.ambyrchildersjewelry.com.
Credit: Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
