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Robert K. Mills

He // Him // His

Visual Artist

Kake, AK

Robert, a Tlingit man, smiles at the camera. He has short dark hair and wears a maroon v-neck shirt. He stands in front a background of dark green vegetation.

Photo by Michael Penn.

My art serves as both a preservation and evolution of Tlingit traditions. Each piece embodies ancestral knowledge while addressing contemporary realities, ensuring that our visual language remains a living, breathing tradition. Through my work, I strive to educate, inspire, and reinforce the importance of Tlingit cultural resilience for both my community and the broader world.”

Robert K. Mills is a Tlingit artist of the Tsaagweidi clan from Kake, Alaska. Working in metal, paint, and wood, Mills's art is deeply rooted in the traditions of his ancestors while pioneering new expressions for future generations. Shaped by the land and waters of Lingit Aani, his work speaks to the complexities of colliding worldviews, exploring the resilience and depth of Tlingit life. For over a decade, he has traveled the Northwest Coast, learning from master Indigenous artists from the Haida Gwaii to Ketchikan and Sitka, while independently funding his artistic journey through years in commercial fisheries. His dedication has resulted in works acquired by institutions, museums, and private collections across the U.S. and Canada. His sculptures, jewelry, and paintings have received recognition for their craftsmanship and cultural significance, earning awards that highlight his contributions to contemporary Indigenous art. Whether shaping metal into intricate sculptures that carry spiritual energy, carving a totem pole that testifies to historical truths, or carving a mask that captures the fierce resilience of the natural world, he approaches each piece with a deep sense of purpose. His art continues to explore Tlingit life, capturing the subtle details that have allowed his people to thrive since time immemorial. Through his work, Mills hopes to share the beauty of Tlingit thought and tradition, offering a visual language that connects past, present, and future.

Donor -The Maxwell/Hanrahan Awards in Craft are supported by the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.

This artist page was last updated on: 05.21.2025

A sculpture in the shape of a canoe sits on top of two stands, all made of silver aluminum. The canoe is hollowed out so that only its outer frame is visible, and there are nature motifs featured on the sides of the sculpture. Three aluminum paddles lean against each side of the canoe. Behind the sculpture hangs a dark velvet curtain.

Yaadachóon by Robert K. Mills, 2023. Aluminum, 21 × 4 feet.

An image of a totem pole featuring colorful Tlingit motifs including stars, birds, and figures. The totem pole stands between streetlamps at the edge of a boardwalk beside a parking lot and a parking structure. There are cars and people visible in the parking lot. In the background, a mountain of lush green trees and a gray sky are visible.

L’eeneidí Totem Pole by Robert K. Mills, 2023. Red cedar, 28 × 384 × 4 feet. Juneau, AK.

Robert, a Tlingit man with short dark hair wearing a blue plaid shirt, crouches beside a wooden sculpture of a head with long black hair, large dark eyes, heavy eyebrows, and a large red mouth. Behind them a gray backdrop is visible.

The Strength that Resides in Us All by Robert K. Mills, 2021. Red cedar, 34 × 28 inches. Juneau, AK.