Arvcuken Noquisi of College of the Muscogee Nation

Arvcuken Noquisi, known to friends and family as Arthur, is someone who walks the line between tradition and creativity. As a proud citizen of the Muscogee Creek Nation and a descendant of the Cherokee Nation, Arthur carries a great sense of connection to their Native roots shaped by a drive for artistic and environmental exploration.

Arthur grew up in Fayetteville, Arkansas surrounded by a family deeply connected to Oklahoma. Arthur’s father, a professor at the University of Arkansas, specialized in sustainable agriculture, which was a part of their everyday lifestyle, extending beyond the classroom into the family’s own blackberry farm. Weekends and free time were often spent picking berries and tending the chicken coops with Arthur’s twin and oldest sibling. While the daily manual labor was demanding and relentless, this early experience ignited a lifelong curiosity for food systems, though it initially pushed Arthur away from agriculture to seek a more creative outlet.

Arthur’s academic journey started at Ohio State University, earning the prestigious Morrill Scholarship, designed to recognize academically talented students who demonstrate a commitment to diversity, leadership, and service. It is a competitive scholarship that provides substantial financial support, often covering full tuition and other educational expenses, aiming to empower students from underrepresented backgrounds to achieve their academic and professional goals.

Arthur achieved two bachelors’ degrees in just five years: a Bachelor of Science in music and a Bachelor of Arts in moving image production. “Although the university provided the creative and technical foundation for me to become an artist, with an interest in sound production and the creation of immersive soundscapes, I left the college feeling exhausted. I felt isolated and not connected to my heritage,” said Arthur. “That’s what drove me here to the College of the Muscogee Nation. Although I was afforded the opportunity to get both my bachelor’s paid for, I was a part of the outcast. Native Americans were ostracized greatly in the area that I was attending college,” says Authur.

Art flows naturally into Arthur’s spare time. Passionate about drawing both realistic and stylized works, Arthur’s curiosity extends into experimenting with native beads and capturing their unique sounds including beads falling, dropping, and moving using specialized instruments. These explorations fuel Arthur’s dream of producing performances and sound tapes through collectives like One Aux, Noisetown, and Cultlove.

The decision to attend the College of the Muscogee Nation was profoundly influenced by Arthur’s uncle Jeff, who graduated from CMN in 2018. Visiting the campus and receiving a language book from their uncle made Arthur curious and inspired to attend the college.

Despite feeling isolated during their undergraduate years, Arthur found a transformative sense of belonging at CMN through becoming active in Native OSU and discovered a supportive network of students committed to leadership, advocacy, and cultural revitalization. At CMN since the fall of 2024, Arthur quickly immersed in campus life, joining the Environmental Science Club, contributing to the Art Club, and participating in the Tribal Leadership Circle (TLC). Arthur’s work with film projects and student collaborations has fostered new friendships and creative partnerships.

Arthur’s dedication to environmental stewardship and media innovation is evident in their recent projects. In the fall, Arthur filmed and edited a grant pitch for the NEXUS solar panel initiative, securing the first $40,000 and helping expand campus gardens through sustainable energy solutions. Arthur’s involvement continues with assisting a rivercane revitalization initiative. Rivercane, the native bamboo in America, is known as “the plastic for Native Americans” for its versatility in basket weaving and crafts.

As a part-time intern for three years with the Indigenous Food and Culture Initiative, housed at the University of Arkansas, Arthur has helped develop media content, podcasts, and a summer youth program, teaching Native students about the vast opportunities in agriculture, from law and health to nutrition and creative arts.

For Arthur, education is a source of empowerment and curiosity, a driving force that opens doors to networking, grant writing, and personal fulfillment. Learning alongside passionate peers energizes and helps Arthur thrive in environments where shared interests and community spirit abound. Arthur is committed to harnessing their education to create impact, whether through art, advocacy, or environmental innovation.

Arthur’s aspirations sit firm in service to the nation and the land. Arthur envisions a future working full-time in agriculture or education, perhaps at the college itself. The tangible progress of growing food brings Arthur a sense of accomplishment and joy, reinforcing the belief that food is not just sustenance but a cornerstone of culture and well-being.

Arthur continues to blend tradition and innovation, using their talents to uplift others and strengthen community ties. Whether capturing the sound of beads, revitalizing rivercane, or expanding solar-powered gardens, Arthur’s journey is proof that education, creativity, and cultural pride can shape a future as rich and enduring as the lands called home.