Cahokia

Eunique Yazzie (left) and Melody Lewis (next to Yazzie) are the co-founders of Cahokia, the first female owned Indigenous-led social tech and art space in the country and located in the Roosevelt Row arts district.

Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation Tuesday night unveiled the results of its community survey at a fundraising event tying into the fall equinox.

The final draft provides insights into the next stage of growth for the area.

The event was a celebration of community collaboration, entrepreneurialism and creative endeavor that featured a tour of Cahokia, the first female owned Indigenous-led social tech and art space in the country.

Cahokia’s co-founders are Roosevelt Row CDC board member, artist and founder of Indige Design Collab Eunique Yazzie who is Diné/Navajo, and Melody Lewis who is Mojave/Tewa/Hopi and who also co-founded Indigenous Community Collaborative.

The evening concluded with a presentation of the survey, which collected nearly 1,100 respondents.

Nicole Underwood, director of Community Engagement for Roosevelt Row CDC, said those responders, “did have an overwhelming sense that the area is eclectic and vibrant. Eighty-five percent of those folks felt that art and culture is important. Half of the businesses that reside in the district started here because of that creative experience.”  

Underwood also said the majority of respondents want to see more art and creative opportunities. Those include public art, galleries and music venues, but there was a strong push for shaded sidewalks and more restaurants.