Jim Yellowhawk grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. He is an enrolled member of the Itazipco Band of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and of the Onondaga/Iroquois on his mother's side. Yellowhawk has been immersed in the arts of his ancestors since he was a young boy. His grandmother Annie Yellowhawk was a traditional beadworker and role model for traditional ways, and his father, Jerry Yellowhawk, is a passionate artist in a variety of mediums. Yellowhawk graduated from Marion College, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Science in Art. He also studied at Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio. Yellowhawk has brought his art to the international community and continues to be invited to perform Lakota men's traditional dance at venues all over the world. He currently resides in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Yellowhawk says, "Traditional spirituality is woven into my daily life, work, practices, and way of being. It keeps me in balance and guides my creative processes. The horse, buffalo, elk, geese, and eagle nations are often represented in my art, in honor of the four winds. While my art comprises diverse media forms, my current passion is for ledger art, a traditional way of recording history for the native peoples in America. My techniques vary according to the feel of each piece. I like to experiment and challenge myself. I would like to leave my mark as an artist in a way that serves all people, and I very much hope to provide a strong and positive role model for native youth."