Historic Native Arts Convening (the First of Many)
after some rest, I look back at last week’s Historic convening centering Native people and see it as an Announcement. an Announcement that this insurgence of Native creativities in the american narrative is not a blip and will no longer hide as an * and a hardship for the institutions built on Our Ancestral Lands. Miigwetch to the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Native Arts and Cultures Foundation for creating the space for this work to intermingle & for an invitation to the microphone.
Important message and sweet thank you from NEA Chairman Mary Anne Carter
as someone who had the privilege of seeing the full process that brought this historic moment into being, it is a wonder to see it come to fruition and the creation of momentum that we must harvest. Chloe Elm (Tonawanda Band of Seneca Indians of New York), who I have yet to meet but began the process of the Federal Resource Guide, collected the mass of information that then I was able to help sculpt. to witness its Debut, I felt the importance this type of information holds to Access of Resources My Ancestors Signed a Treaty For and The Sovereign Right of Native Nations to Them. Information is the only way to lead to True Self-Determination.
now, as always, must come next steps.
for myself, they have yet to form beyond questions:
how do we share this information and utilize our networks?
how do we share that resources are beyond monetary and provide capacity building as well?
where does the mentorship within the Community live and how do we bridge these connections?
who can we call on to join us in the conversation? who must we highlight next & who must be present to not only hear, but Truly Listen?
there are also questions I have for myself:
how do I serve my people, who both fit the name of Arizona and Anishinaabe who come from Miskwaagamiiwi-zaaga’iganing?
Joy Harjo (Mvsoke), U.S. Poet Laureate, providing the convening keynote speech & performing her poetry
while these statements before and after are simply Mine Alone, not of the institutions I serve or the places I come from, I am a public servant in all senses, but to serve, I cannot lose sight of myself being part of my created public.
I am a dual citizen—considered both a citizen of the united states and most importantly, a Citizen of the Red Lake Nation. I am not a machine nor am I the necessary piece to solving the issues settlers created on My and Others’ Ancestors’ Backs. I alone cannot solve the issues embedded in The Work. But if I am going to continue doing this Work, I will not lose myself to It. I am where I am now in my life because no longer have shame and do not regret Centering My Indigeneity in my career and everyday being.
I continue forward now with enthusiasm about the next steps that will take place soon. I live beyond the fears of my Ancestors’ earth problems, for now I am only shaped by their Dreams.
