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Dynamic Women 2015 Final PP
This document discusses Native identity in art from an artist's perspective. It explores how Native identity is defined both from within communities and by outside influences. It examines the tensions between traditional and contemporary art forms and the challenges Native artists face in marketing their work. Suggestions are made for how Native artists and communities can promote cultural continuity through art, gain more control over the presentation of Native cultures, and foster the next generation of Native cultural bearers. Overall, the document argues that Native art is essential for cultural survival and self-determination.
Dynamic Women 2015 Final PP
- 1. NATIVE IDENTITY inART an artist’s perspective Presented by Tohbi Nashoba
- 2. ART is defined: Theexpression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated for their beauty, purpose, collaborative essence, cultural development, soul or emotional power. Creative activity resulting in the production of product, utilitarian and non utilitarian in any medium.
- 3. Native Art A NativeLife is Art Utilitarian Objects. Dress Song and Music Storytelling Ceremony Language
- 4. WHAT IS NATIVE IDENTITY? Howmuch doe sthe outside define? What and why doe we define?
- 5. Why care aboutNative Identity in Art? Art mediums are the conduit through which the non native world views our fully realized rich living cultures. Our art informs who we are, what we do; it humanizes us. When people see and feel our humanity they can no longer carry ignorance and discrimination and the idea of the other. When we are not exoctic romantisized concepts, but real people, society must change. Until these archaic ideas are put to rest we will always be marginilized, ignored, and abused. This concerns all of us and we can no longer participate in our destruction. We must effect how we see ourselves for the positive and not let the other define us, but take the power to tell them.
- 6. How do youwant to present yourself? How do you want others to see you and treat you? How much rests with us and what is upon the other?
- 7. Most Important Art isone of the largest industries in Indian country. Art is the way to keep and flourish within our cultural context. Art is economic development – power – self determination – soverignty, truer freedom.
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- 9. Living in TwoWorlds Old versus Young Must remember to pass forward, yet must live in contemporary world. Old If refuse to adapt ( which is traditional) culture, then people will die out. Young If do not learn heritage, loose one’s self.
- 10. Do We Respecteach other? When someone does attempt an identity accomadating both worlds; ostrisized. Skin Color Poverty | Trauma Rez | Urban | Other Traditional | Non Traditional Which tribe, pueblo, or nation? Ranking of legit Natives Who’s your family and name?
- 11. Push | Pull Looseartists, thus, loose culture bearers. Does not encourage creativity only limitation.
- 12. At the endof the day, we have the government, non-natives, tribes, those in our communities, our family and friends, and ourselves trying to define each one of us through biased eyes and prejudice hearts, and ignorant minds.
- 13. Spirituality Native peoples createobjects imbuing them with spirit, respect, honoring. Result | Tension
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- 15. Selling Out Reasons| foodon table, small picture, not concerned with community Negative| perpetuates “normative valuing as a lesser group”
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- 17. Trauma Historical Truama PTSD If youare Native you carry trauma and why is this part of the discussion? Identity-PTSD
- 18. How do wedefine ourselves as communities and as individuals when everything our ancestors created, for reason, was stolen? Most of us are mixed race. How do we pick and choose and why? Is a Native with an iphone still native? Are they more Native if they have the Chickashanompa app?
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- 20. Self Imposed “Other” imposed Rules What’sgenuine Injun stuff? Protect | Hurt Keep us in our place
- 21. Are you reallywho you say? Is he or she really who they say? What if they are not? Why is this important?
- 23. The Artist “What doI do?”
- 24. Issue 2 B ornot 2 B Ancestors created a reflection of life to understand and endure this world. The Circle | continuity Present Day Native? = Native Artists or artists who are Native
- 25. Native Non Native How doNative People and Non Native people approach Native Identity in Art
- 26. Direct Interference Navajo Rugs NativeGalleries, etc. are non native. Federal laws Tribal and market rules
- 27. Issue A recent NewYork Times article tells the story of how Native American art collectors have historically identified the source of our artworks by tribe and not individual artists. Only now are museums and collectors beginning to respect and value these works by identifying the individual artists and recognizing their worth as people. Can you imagine if a Monet was just identified as "French"? It's clear that many corners of society view Native Americans as an abstract concept, imbued with normative valuing as a lesser group. Quote by David Kimelberg (Seneca Nation) from his Huffington Post article
- 28. Non Native wantto tell Native people who, what, when and where? Inheritence of the noble savage.
- 29. Consumers want tobuy from someone who has dark skin and black hair. Someone who “looks Native”. If you don’t speak english better sales. The markets, in catering to their buyers, sell the same thing over and over. Repetative and non thinking. EX: Indian market, 100’s of vendors selling jewelry that at some point is indistinguishable one person from the other. Certain tribes get more attention than others. Most people think there are only three tribes and this leaves the rest of us behind. Old non relevant fueds between nations and our own taught insecurity have people looking upon others as less or even as an enemy.
- 30. Archeological items andideas confuse who we are and what we are doing. My generation and younger, of those I know who are trying something “different”, are refused at every door and then when they approach non native markets they are seen as native artists and not what the other galleries want. Most feel trapped, give up and sell out. Consumers want “Authenticity”. What is authentic and who is deciding this them or us? If we decide authenticity, ex. Indian Market rules, what hat are we saying and doing to ourselves. Why does so and so, with no integrity, decide my value. Sad, but true the current system perpetuates lying, Natives acculturating other Native cultures, the sacred devalued and stepped upon, inherent back stabbing.
- 31. Results Blocks potential forthe youth and community. We are no more than children to the other. Contributes to historical and personal trauma. The market and those at the top want things to stay the same while the world moves forward and we become stagnant and irrelevant-I would argue this has already happened. Interest in our art is stagnat and limited. Therefore our ability for sovereignty is unattainable. When we our dependent we are controlled. Reinforces negative self image.
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- 33. Alan Syliboy Mi’kmaq quillbox| Contemporary Work Living in the Millbrook First Nations community. Lakota Beading 18?? Which piece is “Traditional” and why?
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- 35. Issue Limited marketing Promotion of stereotypes of artists and what artists should make. We further our own comical image Established negative Hierachy Old vs. Young “Traditional” vs. “Non-Traditional” People willing to sell their culture out Small Market with no iniciative to grow Self-Restriction Nepotism Absent cooperation The internet has changed the game some, but the old establishment still rules.
- 36. Issue Artists exhibitcrabs in a bucket syndrome as do nations. Even the art protesting racism has become a stereotype and joke. Our cultures and we as individuals are commodities to be bought and sold. The national and world art market pidgeon holds our work in a nice little niche box and we comply. After the trauma of survival and continuing genocide we have bought into the mlarky that we are an insignificant part of the whole and can only make a living by being branded Native.
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- 38. Change? every culture solveissues in their way Santa Fe and New Mexico in general (Mecca) Opening new markets Education Technology | New ways to Market, etc. Use the “exoctic” to our advantage The Youth: Art develops young minds in spatital understanding, reasoning, etc. Even if a youth does not become an artist they will benefit from exposure. Plus, tribes are always fighting the battle of losing culture because kids leave the rez looking for opportunity. Art can be practiced anywhere including one’s community.
- 39. Stop the “Wegot worse problems… syndrome: Our art is a direct reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Art is culture and without culture we are not Native peoples. Art tells outsiders how to treat us. We are still experiencing genocide, obviously, we are missing something in our art for the outsiders. Tribes and Tribal Governments to support the arts and back their people: Recognize and honor the contribution artists give. They are the keepers and developers of knowledge. Grants, workshops, emergency aid, residencies, artist reciprocity Tribes work together | Intermix different regions in the markets. Ask yourself what you are buying and why | We are our own consumers also. What message our we sending with our demand?
- 40. Leverage | Nationsare becoming more powerful and closer to sovereignty. The Chickasaws are able to support their art and artists because we have money. If we continue to promote the diversity within our communities non natives will have to take notice and begin to understand us in a different way. Stop the fear | Every human experiences fear; fear of leaving what one knows, fear of trying something and not knowing the outcome, fear of failure. There is room for all, but no room for judgement and self hatred | Historical trauma Healthcare, mental | Many studies make a direct link from art making and its curative power for PTSD and all other mental health disabilities and issues.
- 41. We must educateour people, have incentive for them to not only come back to their communities, but thrive. Get business people who can own the galleries and various companies. Economic development therefore power therefore control over one’s life therefore thriving culture.
- 42. Each tribe mustfind their own path for reconciliation of adaptation being a part of all our different cultures.
- 43. Artists Established Joseph Marshall Juane Quick-to-see- smith JimRivera Kathleen Wall Up and Coming Aaron Natewa Micah the Werewolf Look to these artists, Why?
Editor's Notes
- #2 Chokma Chinchookma Chickasha saya anoa silhochifoat Natasha anoa tohbi nashoba Hi how are you? I’m Chickasaw and my name is Natasha. I want to thank the Chickasaw Nation for this event and especially all those in the arts and humanities department. Thank you for the honor of letting me speak today. Quick note about me Finished BA in art history at Washington University in St. Louis in 2002. Wasn’t gonna b artist groom at Churchill Downs Elderly Nutrition Program at Rosebud Rez Bourbon st. and art galleries on royal in New Orleans I began drawing then painting in 2006. In 2007 I began attending Institute of American Indian Arts and finished in 2010. _Some of what I’ve done MoCNA permanent collection Opening artist for the McSwain theater Gallery 2 years Indian Market Hopi Clan exhibit for the Anasazi Heritage Center (kept extra 3 years) Why am I discussing this? Because I have struggled for many years with the question of identity. It is the center piece of my art work. _i’ve gone through an extensive, hard journey to determine and b ok with my identity -identity is a universal struggle -the concept, perception, the hate and hurt caused by this and exponentially infecting Unfortunately and fortunately I will ask more questions today than answer. I do have many answers for myself, but we are all unique individuals. My answers are not yours. I do not have your eyes and you do not have mine-so please do not take offense at my ignorance or yours. I hope in my asking questions dialogue is furthered, minds are opened to more possibilities and we all take at least one step closer to our own truth. This is my purpose. Now, with any issue in the Native world things are complicated, convuluted, and ridiculous, but reality. So strap in and get ready for a lot of material.
- #3 For the purpose of this discussion
- #4 Everything in our lives has meaning in heritage, culture, how we understand the world, how we adapt to the world, how we are in the world. Our art was not originally meant to be framed in museums, but lived. I’ll address two worlds later (this phtoto points to that) Western value Not fine art *Conditional >Slightly valued as an art
- #5 Identity Is usually defined by how we see our selves in agreeable and/ or non agreeable tension with how the other (group and individual) sees us, as a group and as an individual one on one experience is completely diff. & typically healtheir than group mentality Culture usually outsiders don’t care/other natives respect you alittle more if you know things/as an individual probably most important factor Blood depending on which tribe aand individual only thing they care about-obviously by “other” standards the more blood the more you are, really? if so, every adoptive parents might as well give up their babies also, every tribe participated in trade and warring. Someone can b 100% Native racially, but Absolutely no such thing as a pure navajo, etc. Belief system similar to culture what do you practice/not practice and for what reason - so many factors as culture it can be used to upgrade or downgrade one’s nativeness Government Tribal governments, state and US govern’ment-they all want to decide who we are. For some groups the tribal government decided you must be a ¼ on your mom’s side & others use rolls proving decendicy- kind of neither is right or wrong/the best any of us can do US forced these decisions Affiliation Who do you claim to be? white skin like me claiming Chickasaw is usually somewhat OK. However, we all know if I claimed Cherokee-I’d b a princess & if I claimed picuris I’m a straight up liar Recognition Skin Color My favorite, superficial-catch one of Dr. Gates shows, count how many times DNA proves someone’s skin is the opposite Story of Lisa When I came to IAIA versus being white on Rosebud Heritage reveals more of the truth of your family, who and what made you, you Ancestry Blood, but also what is your name? Who are you related to? Nepotism is the greatest downfall and self destructive force practiced by native peoples Land Where are you from? Are you rez? Are you urban? Were you raised around your people & on traditional lands? or raised away from your people? This effects more of the individual identity. Tell of adopted out boy on rosebud. By the way, you are most indian if you’re from the rez. Shoot being on Rosebud has given me street cred I would not have otherwise Nurture The familial culture, everyday workings and lessons Tell about not realizing being raised native until I got to IAIA Once again a strong individual measurement and somewhat recognized by other native, but not “other” Native Identity in the US is a completely diff. experience and definition than any other indigenous population in the world. -partly because of how the US was colonized -----concerning resources, type of slavery, trade, european multi country in fighting - and partly the irony, yet immense human potential of the constitution and bill of rights -we have the race card****how the other forced us to define ourselves in screwed up ways and how they see us in negatives ways -we define ourselves by not defining ourselves with the other in so doing we limit ourselves and do not accept ourselves****Tell aunt Lola story Cultural identity Every tribe, nation, pueblo has their own definition. How much do you participate? What part of the culture do you recognize? Familial culture? What is not traditional and what is traditional and who defines this? Blood Quantum and Tribal Affiliation How much blood can you prove you have? Who are your ancestors and did they enroll? How much blood makes you Native, is this not requirements placed upon us by a government who does not have the right to define us?
- #6 A) Because this is still a valid portrayal in larger society B) And This is the heavy answer
- #7 Here is the practical anwer How do yo want others to see you?_____Lets not pretent human are imperfect and no matter how buddhist or politically correct we are instinctual pysical knew jerk reactions and perceptions is the real world. Granted some repsonsibility rests with the ignorant, including yourself
- #10 Obviously both are needed and one is incomplete without the other. Ex. Nathan’s cell phone story
- #14 Native peoples create objects imbuing them with spirit, respect, honoring America’s art is record, philosophical ponderance--- number one diff. between us and western values and other cultures many times american art is ruled by reason versus deep emotion What results in the difference *lots of ignorance, misunderstanding, and prejudice +++Pueblos have some dances open to public. Some are not. Non-Natives ask why? Ex: Story of Kachinas
- #16 Reasons to sell out Reasons to not sell out
- #17 -They can be one in the same -natives participate in their own stereotyping like any other group the nigger example
- #18 PTSD changes one’s biology and is passed down biologically And through nurture unless helped Why put under ethic, etc. because ptsd changes how one reacts and views the world it influences our art and identity
- #19 We no longer hunt the animals of MS and Tennessee. We no longer use clay pots, reed baskets, dugoutsfor our daily needs. We no longer cook and eat the way our our original peoples. We no longer speak our langiage as our only tongue. ETC. How are we Chickasaw in this contemporary world. Art helps with these answers, but even artists, culture bearers are not asking enough of ourselves. I look to the Jewish community However, they have never been a land based culture
- #21 SWAIA, HEARD, Autry,- all big shows have elaborate rules for “traditional works”, what is contemporary and what is not I personally have seen and know of many famed winning artists not following the rules. Are they no longer genuine? Is their product not an effort made by a real indian with a card? China does billions of dollars-no follow up Only real native are following the laws National Board How is it non natives run our art world. We must educate our people, have incentive for them to not only come back to their communities, but thrive. Get business people who can own the galleries and various companies. Economic development therefore power therefore control over one’s life therefore thriving culture.
- #22 Definition of Authentic.-----of undisputed origin; genuine. Because at the end of the day our ancestors, our family and people were stripped of their land their culture, their belief systems, social and political systems. They were forced through genocidal campaigns to fly like birds when they only knew to be fish.
- #23 And this sums up the whole problem of native identity and its complexity AUTHENTICITY
- #26 Non Native Expectations: feathers, buffalo, etc. they read and want what they read tell story of how non natives tell native about themselves stereotypes If you give them something else. Something more than a one note, but a piece or the mosaic of Native experience and cultures they refuse it. Tell about my indian market experience. Some know they are ignorant and are respectful of this. Native Expectations: Some expect what non natives do. Sometimes they are natives less informed about their culture and other cultures. Sometimes they believe sticking a feather on any thing makes them native. Some are much more intuned, knowledgeable, and genuine.
- #28 Don’t want to know are names Our art is - Just a trophy
- #29 The new generation just do it automatically without thinking, inheritence from their ancestors
- #33 Traditional is a relative term Connects to authenticity. Are we trying to preserve, nuture, and or persevere?
- #34 Mi'kmaq artisans -using the quills of the common porcupine, birchbark and spruce root -arrival of Europeans this traditional art form went international. Many of these quillboxes, dating from the 17th century through the early years of the 20th century -Although new, these boxes are made in the traditional fashion, as opposed to the common "Ojibway" style which is so popular. - Depending on the taste of the buyer, quills can be dyed using either traditional, natural dyes or modern aniline. Lakota -its old (does that mean traditional?) -they used sinew as opposed to fake sinew now used and considered legitimate in shows -the beads are glass seed beads originating from European trade Is what our ancestors practiced traditional? If so, which ancestors? -Europeans introduced horse culture & when they adopted this life-the culture became tradition
- #36 Limited thinking. Fog of anger Crabs in bucket syndrome.
- #37 Limited thinking. Fog of anger Crabs in bucket syndrome.
- #38 Felt boxed in- had to do stereotypical small and or unfairly priced items to be able to sell The community-lots of grest people, but the backstabbing (yes, every workplace, industry has this, but the crab bucket syndrome is severely worse in the native art world My skin tired of consumers and fellow artists
- #39 Yes OK too, but definitely not on the same level lots of interesting art from tribes who can not get shown due to prejuidices within the community Education Business education-so we can run our own galleries, etc. also for artists, lots of mistakes, limiting their own potential because of ignorance even those who’ve made it most of the time is luck, not acumen educate about culture, rights and wrongs | early age, passed down Tech. teach people website and graphic design