Ricardo Cate is from Kewa Pueblo and has been drawing the Native American panel “Without Reservations” featured in the Santa Fe New Mexican for 13 years. “Without Reservations” is the only Native American cartoon in the U.S. that is in a mainstream newspaper as a daily. Ricardo Cate’s original cartoon paintings are a decorative delight, as well as serious commentaries on contemporary life, from a Native point of view.
In addition to being a cartoonist, Cate is also an activist, stand-up comedian, writer, teacher, veteran, former college athlete, tribal official, four-time Dakota Access Pipeline protester at Standing Rock, and filmmaker.
Cate's celebrity fans include Wes Studi, Jackie Chan, Winona LaDuke, Nick Nolte, Denzel Washington, and Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement.
Room “Without Reservations”
Humor has always played a significant role in Native American culture. I painted this room as a continuous strip to remind us that humor is all around us.