Eastern Shawnee Citizen: perspective
As a registered member of the Eastern Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma, I've learned a lot about the complex history we share with many other Indigenous Tribes in America. There is so much to learn, that my best advice to those who ask how to become educated and how to become an ally is this: be curious and kind.
There are numerous books and ways to learn today, you can really begin anywhere! I recommend looking at both contemporary work by Indigenous writers as well as the history books by those white colonizers, and those in between for a bigger perspective.
There are documentaries and podcasts and television shows to explore as well. But one thing that is often misunderstood is that each tribe is not specifically representing all tribes or Indigenous nations. They all have many different experiences - sure the bigger story was shared, one of removal and forced assimilation in many cases, but each are unique and varied by region of where they lived.
It's a challenge to explain how diverse the Indigenous people of America are - so, I recommend picking one area of the USA, and learning about the people of that region. You can use this resource to discover whose land you are on at any time: Native-Land.ca
Art Portraits: a way to learn!
Art is such a powerful way to connect and open up conversations for learning! I'm humbled and excited to share that I've been chosen as one of 3 artists who will participate in the Great Circle Alliance artist residency program together.
The Eastern Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma was originally from the Ohio territory among several other tribes. Our shared ancestors who lived in the Ohio valley is still visible today through the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks.
As part of this residency, I get to travel to Ohio to learn more about our ancestors Earthworks, and give a talk about my family's ancestry and the connection to the land. This all came from the personal art portrait project, 40-Wonderful Project I completed this year. Several of those portraits were a reflection and exploration of my family history. It's an opportunity I didn't know would come and one that I'm so grateful to have.
You can listen or read more in the WYSO.org feature about the Great Circle Alliance program here. I look forward to sharing more about what I learn from the experience after my trip.
