Kitchen Design Company Ties Lakota Heritage to ‘Green’ Practices

“Much of what we do is with the intent to limit, as much as possible, the negative impact we have on the earth,” says Nathan Johnson, co-owner of Portsmouth-based Visions Kitchens & Design. “We also think of community and families first.”

Launched in late 2010 by business partners Johnson and Ernest Proper, Visions Kitchens & Design is a kitchen design company specializing in cabinets, countertops, and closet systems. Its approach encompasses every step of the design process, assuring that a new kitchen, bath, library, fireplace or home office fits seamlessly within the overall feel of the room and home.

Johnson and Proper bring a unique perspective to their work. Both can trace their lineage back to Native American roots. Lakota, to be exact: Johnson is Hunka — or adopted — Lakota, while Proper is Lakota Oglala and Mi’kmaq. November being Native American Heritage Month, Johnson and Proper’s unique journey is one on which both are proud to reflect.

“According to the Lakota tradition, the Earth is our Mother, and we operate our business with that in mind, absolutely,” explains Johnson. “The Lakota always ask the question, How are we impacting the environment seven generations ahead?”

Because of the principals’ background, Visions emphasizes green initiatives and approaches, including partnering with sources that practice sustainable harvesting; making use of bamboo and other sustainable wood products; incorporating low or no VOC paints, stains and finishes; utilizing reclaimed or recycled cabinet and countertop materials; as well as specializing in design techniques that can help the owner receive points towards LEED certification.

“I’ve worked for other design companies. I don’t agree with not caring about the waste that can come from remodeling, and I feel customers are people, not just another check,” Johnson says.

Visions Kitchens & Design is also a business partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices, and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. GA members currently receive 10 percent off Visions products and services, and Visions will give a portion of the proceeds to The Blue Ocean Society.

The native way of thinking means giving first, Johnson says. Johnson and Proper donate a portion of all Visions sales to local organizations and charities, giving back to the community in their traditional way. For example, they work with the Blue Oceans Society to help clean the shore, the oceans and the Earth. As Green Alliance business partners and sustainable entrepreneurs, Proper and Johnson see their collaboration with Blue Ocean as just another logical step in building a business that gives back to the community and environment that supports it.

“It’s been great working with Blue Ocean on the beach clean ups and beyond; it brings the community together to respect and honor our oceans by contributing to keeping them clean,” says Johnson. “To do our part and help Mother Earth, we’re honored to help their organization.”

And they are able to work with groups such as the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Newington, a Green Alliance business partner, to limit the deconstruction material that ends up in a landfill. “We treat deconstructed material as carefully as possible so it is not destroyed and can be used again,” Johnson says.

Johnson and Proper travel the country to various Pow Wows and get-togethers. Johnson joined Proper’s Native American music group, Black Thunder Singers, and in 2011, the group’s album, “Black Thunder,” was awarded a Native American Music Award for “Best Pow Wow Recording.” They also appeared in the Native American movie “Crooked Arrows.”

Johnson and Proper take their Pow Wow style drum to schools in the area, performing programs at a discounted rate for educational events. They,along with other members of the Black Thunder Singers, have performed at UNH, Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and North Hampton Elementary School, to name a few. They dress up in dance regalia, tell stories, and explain what it really means to be a Native American today. “It’s good to provide the proper education,” Johnson says. “It helps break down many stereotypes that still exist today.”

So while Johnson and Proper embrace their Native American traditions, they also are part of mainstream culture, trying to emulate the best values of each. “We’re fathers and have families and care about our local community and the earth and try to lead by example,” Johnson says. “The way I run my business and treat my customers is how I’d like my children to treat people. I try to lead by that example in mind.”

As for Visions Kitchens & Design, “Business is good,” Johnson says.”We’re staying busy, and word is getting out about the kind of work we do. Whenever we do a job, we get a few referrals. We get good feedback about the customer service we provide. We help people throughout the whole process, answering questions, providing opinions, making sure the customer will be happy.”

To learn more about Visions Kitchens, visit www.visionskitchens.com.

To learn more about Black Thunder Singers, go to www.blackthundersingers.vpweb.com.

For more information about the Green Alliance, go to www.greenalliance.biz.