Samuel Paden is a two spirit and autistic Citizen of Cherokee nation and settler, ᏥᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᎴ ᏲᏁᎦ. They carry with them their cross-cultural influences as well as experiences growing up in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo where their parents worked. They work in several art mediums including mixed media and basketry. They are ever grateful to the teachers and elders who have shared with them their skills and mentored them over the years.