In the Chickasaw Nation, pashofa is more than just a dish. It is a slow-simmered blend of cracked pearl hominy and pork, prepared over hours, even days, and shared during the most important gatherings. It nourishes the body, but also the bonds between people. Since 2013,  I believed that my work should be made with that same patience, care, and sense of connection. In 2024, I welcomed my sister Rosa Lee Thomas-McBroom who was operating as Rosa Lee Designs to join me at Pashofa Designs as it continues to grow and to keep it a family business.

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The Spirit Behind the Name

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Pashofa has always been a communal food — you don’t cook it for one person, you cook it for everyone. That’s the same philosophy we bring to our designs. Whether it’s beadwork, textiles, or contemporary regalia, every creation carries a piece of our cultural story and is meant to be shared, celebrated, and worn with pride.

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Designs That Carry Our Stories

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Each pattern we create draws inspiration from our heritage — the flow of river currents, the strength of stickball players, the bold geometry of ancient motifs. But we don’t freeze tradition in time; we reinterpret it for today’s world. The result is work that feels both timeless and alive, honoring the past while speaking to the present.

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Cultural Responsibility

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For us, art is activism. Pashofa Designs is committed to uplifting Indigenous voices, reclaiming traditional aesthetics, and educating non-Native audiences about the beauty and depth of our cultures. Every sale helps fund community events, artist collaborations, and workshops on traditional arts.

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Why We Create

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Like a pot of pashofa on the fire, our designs take time. Each bead, each stitch, each brushstroke is a promise — that we will continue telling our stories in the ways our ancestors taught us, and that we will keep adding new chapters for generations to come.

So when you wear Pashofa Designs, you’re wearing more than just an accessory or garment. You’re wearing a piece of a living culture, crafted with intention, rooted in love, and meant to bring people together.

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JM "Miko" Thomas