The Edge
Interview: Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle
Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle reclaims and repurposes the iconic Navajo brim hat, which reuses and honors all elements of creation.
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ehi Thunder Voice Eagle, who’s of Diné and Totonoc descent, grew up far from a city’s buzzing life. “Most of my life was spent in nature, living off the land,” he recalls. “With that came many parts of the foundation of understanding my culture: stories, skills, and knowledge.” This experience bleeds into the fashion and art that Thunder Voice Eagle creates, which is also the foundation of his company, Thunder Voice Hat Co. Known for its rustic, high-quality hats, Thunder Voice Hat Co. is Thunder Voice Eagle’s venture into the fashion world. Lehi started the company after finding out the damaging effects of fast fashion. “Because, like you, we’re learning about the massive impact fast fashion, mass production, and disposal of clothing has on Mother Earth,” Thunder Voice Eagle says. “Instead of consuming more resources, we find ways to reuse what we have been given already.” Thunder Voice grew up 22 NATIVE MAX MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
listening to his parents talk about how sacred animals are, and that Creator gave us ways to sustain our earthly experience. “Beautiful buckskin shirts were made, intricately-beaded moccasins, long wood bows, medicines and teas, and many other creations were used and never discarded.” To honor this cycle of life, Lehi searches for the finest reclaimed vintage hats, discarded leather, old coins, vintage t-shirts, and jewelry in his travels. Discarded elements are combined to make the vast array of Thunder Voice Eagle Co. hats, jewelry, and apparel. “They are a statement of how we can reuse and honor all elements of creation.” Thunder Voice Eagle and his team reclaim and repurpose the iconic Navajo brim hat, which has spanned through the ages, as a reminder of generations past. Each hat is vintage hand-sourced, steamed and shaped, creatively visioned, and lovingly made. Each hat holds stories, purpose, and the hope nativemax.com
