Patterns as Storytellers: The Legacy of the Road to Soco

In Indian Country, patterns are more than just decorative designs—they are the stories of our ancestors, passed down through generations. They carry the wisdom of those who came before us, serving as a link between past and present. Every pattern holds a memory, a lesson, a connection to the hands that wove it, carved it, or painted it. For many Indigenous families, patterns are a tangible reminder of a loved one who took the time to teach their kin, ensuring that their knowledge and creativity would not be lost to time.

The Road to Soco pattern is one such story—but its origin has often been misattributed. Contrary to some **cough, federal government, cough** sources, this iconic design was not created by Maggie Ben, but actually by Roxanna (Roxie) Standingdeer Stamper, a masterful Cherokee artist and founding member of Qualla Arts and Crafts. Roxie, a beloved elder of the Paintown Community, was deeply rooted in Cherokee traditions, dedicating her life to preserving and sharing her craft. She studied loom weaving, beadwork, and design at Haskell Indian University (then Haskell School) and became renowned for her artistry. The Road to Soco pattern is part of her enduring legacy.

Patterns as Family, Patterns as Memory

For many Indigenous families, the most important thing about a pattern isn’t just its visual appeal, but the person who created it and the love that came with learning it. Grandmothers passing down beadwork designs, mothers teaching their children how to weave, elders explaining the meanings behind the motifs on pottery—all of these moments bind us to our families, our histories, and our futures. When we see a pattern, we don’t just see a design; we see the hands that made it, the voices that described it, and the lessons that came with it.

The "Road to Soco" pattern is a part of that lineage. Soco Valley, a place of cultural and historical significance within the Qualla Boundary, symbolizes both a physical journey and a spiritual one. The pattern represents the many roads Cherokee people have walked, both before and after colonization. And it is a reminder that while roads may twist and turn, they are still leading us forward.

Revitalizing the Road to Soco

In revitalizing the Road to Soco pattern, Good Medicine Collective seeks to honor Roxie Standingdeer Stamper’s true legacy—not the misattributions that too often erase Indigenous artists’ contributions. Too frequently, Indigenous art is commodified, stripped of its origins, and mass-produced without the stories that give it meaning. By ensuring proper recognition, we uphold the tradition of passing down knowledge with respect and accuracy.

Every pattern tells a story, and every story deserves to be told truthfully. When we incorporate designs like Road to Soco into our lives, we’re not just admiring their beauty—we’re carrying forward the legacy of the artists who created them, the families who preserved them, and the communities that continue to resist erasure.

At Good Medicine Collective, we believe in keeping these stories alive by ensuring Indigenous art remains in Indigenous hands—with proper credit, cultural context, and reverence. Through our work, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and ensure future generations know the true makers behind these living traditions.

Join us in celebrating the power of patterns—because every stitch, every line, and every symbol is a thread connecting us to those who came before.

Start your day with intention—honor Roxie Stamper’s legacy with a Road to Soco coffee mug from Good Medicine Collective.


(Note: Previous versions of this post incorrectly credited Maggie Ben as the creator of the Road to Soco pattern as the federal government does. Upon further outreach within our relatives and community, we learned the truth. We acknowledge and correct this error, lifting up Roxanna (Roxie) Standingdeer Stamper’s true role in its creation.)