Brandi Lee Sawyer (BThunder)

Brandi, known by many as BThunder (One Who Walks With Thunder) is truly what she brings in every aspect of her life.  Along her journey of life Brandi has walked the runway as a model for the Indigenous Brand, Sky-Eagle Collection. One of her passions is creating wall and sculpture art, welding, last but certainly not least, designing fashion accessories, such as her handcrafted Boho-style bracelet collections, handmade Outerwear Apparel and  Patent-Pending, luxury leather Teepee Handbag Collections for all.

~Advocate ~Lead Coordinator ~Sponsor ~Guest Speaker ~Volunteer ~Awareness Education

More importantly Brandi's focus is driving awareness with her efforts in Advocacy, Sponsorships and volunteerism in creating the first-ever REDress Project Installations throughout Connecticut; New England region. The REDress Installation puts a spotlight on a crisis going on in the United States and Canada, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,Girls & 2Spirit. Thousands of Indigenous Peoples go missing everyday at an alarming rate due to homicide, domestic violence and human trafficking. Although the statistics in the database are unclear, many cases go unreported or not handled to the best of abilities due to lack of resources, funding and jurisdiction issues.

For the past four years, Brandi has been the Lead Creator Coordinator, collecting and donating well over 150 red dresses to The Institute for American Indian Studies Museum in Washington,CT specifically for the REDress Outdoor Installation. Each year with the help of her family, staff at the museum and volunteers, they hang each red dress along the Red Trail with care and respect, to Honor victims. Victims who have passed, those who are still missing; those that never made it home. This is an EPIDEMIC. 

In May 2023, Brandi and her family were honored at the State Capitol in Hartford,CT in recognition for their Advocacy efforts for MMIW and bringing awareness to the ongoing epidemic. It was then that Brandi, along with Senator Berthel and constituents said, "No More!"

On Monday, May 6th, 2024 the first-ever REDress Installation and (MMIP) Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Awareness Event took place at the State Capitol in Hartford,CT.  A Gathering of Nations, near and far, standing together receiving a General Assembly Certificate of Citation for The State of Connecticut MMIP Day. Brandi's efforts do not stop here, there is more work to be done, she will continue her mission with other Advocates with Call To Action.

The REDress Project Installation was first created in Canada by Curator Metis, Jamie Black to bring attention to the crisis happening in Canada, in particular Indigenous Native Women and Girls.

Education & Awareness

As the first-ever Curator/Donor, alongside Education Ambassador at IAIS, Darlene Kascak (Schaghticoke Tribal Nation) together they created  Educational Outreach programs for the Watertown, CT Public School System. In creating and donating the program, it has provided students with field trips to The Institute for American Indian Studies Museum & Research in Washington,CT. An innovative way for students and educators alike to engage in interactive, hands-on learning of the Native Americans' true history, beautiful culture, traditions and ways of life!

Advocate & Brand Model

Brandi strives to help her own community, surrounding areas, near and far throughout the US. BThunder plays an integral role through her volunteerism, donations and Sponsorships for businesses and organizations such as: The Harold Leever Cancer Foundation, The Joe Garassino Foundation, Watertown, CT Police Department, Toys for Tots, The Institute for American Indian Studies Museum & Research, National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, Sun ,Moon and Stars Inc- Autism Awareness, Running Strong and St Labre Indian School.

A portion of all proceeds from both of Brandi's websites (www.bthunderluxe.com and www.bthunderlife.com) goes to:  niwrc.org/MMIW-Awareness

For more information and how you can get involved please visit: iaismuseum.org