Chasinghorse stated that after her first experience, she wasn't certain if she would return to the Met Gala. Arturo Holmes/MG21/Getty Images
Quannah Chasinghorse, 19, felt that she wasn't welcome at the 2021 American-themed Met Gala.
The only indigenous face at the annual event was the model and climate activist.
"No one knew me and no one was interested in asking. She said that people are always there for themselves, and it shows."
Quannah Chasinghorse, an indigenous model, said that she felt she wasn't part of the celebrity parade at the 2021 Met Gala.
The 19-year old climate activist and land protector, whose heritage includes Han Gwich’in and Oglala Laca, said that her first experience with fashion's largest night was more lonely than she realized when she tweeted about it in September 14.
Chasinghorse stated, "It was just so strange to be in." "I can still remember standing there, looking at everyone, and feeling so alone. It was really, really lonely.
"No one knew about me." She added that no one asked her questions. "People are there for their own sakes, and it shows."
She said that the initial excitement when she heard she would be invited to attend the event as a guest at Peter Dundas's was fading as reality set in.
Photograph of Chasinghorse during New York Fashion Week Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Chasinghorse said that there were not many other indigenous people at this event. She believed that the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" meant something else to her than the influencers and celebrities who walked the red steps of The Met.
Chasinghorse stated, "No way am i celebrating America." "My indigenous roots, my indigeneity and who I am would be the things I celebrate," Chasinghorse said. America has done so much to my people that I am proud to be alive today.
She attended to make a statement for indigenous peoples who, historians claim, have suffered from violence and genocide over the years. She said, "My ancestors went through so many genocide after geonocide after geonocide."
She was Peter Dundas' guest, along with Megan Fox and Ciara. She didn't want to make a statement in the glittering golden gown she had chosen for herself.
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Megan Fox and Mary J. Blige also wore Peter Dundas at the Met. Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images. Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
It was actually her facial tattoos that made her feel beautiful, along with the turquoise jewelry her aunts brought from Arizona. She said that the jewelry made all the difference when she was unsure why she came.
She said that all the turquoise and silver and my tattoos brought me back. This is because jewelry and body art are considered medicine and have healing properties.
She kept returning to that mantra she was taught by her mother growing up: "Never forget where you came from and who you are."
Chasinghorse stated, "All my ancestors with me in that moment. They walked the red carpet alongside me." "That made me feel stronger."
Chasinghorse didn't attend the Met Gala in celebration of America. Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty images for the Met Museum/Vogue
Given her past experience, Chasinghorse would also go back. Although she said that it was impossible to rule out, she knew that the event did not align with her moral beliefs.
The gala is a fundraiser to support the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. However, the gala is only open to the wealthy and famous who are in good standing with Anna Wintour (Vogue's Editor-in Chief). According to The New York Times, single tickets can run up to $30,000 while a table costs $275,000
Chasinghorse stated, "I don't feel like I belong in spaces such as that because I'm no elitist." "My approach to walking in the world of this industry is very different from everyone else's because I feel like I am constantly breaking down barriers."
Insider reached out to representatives of The Metropolitan Museum of Art but they did not respond immediately.
Insider has the original article.
