Matika Wilbur: Changing the Way We See Native America

Matika Wilbur, Swinomish and Tulalip

I first learned about Matika Wilbur via the podcast “All My Relations,” which addresses various issues affecting Indigenous communities across the United States. It also teaches listeners about the diverse culture of Native peoples. She’s one of the hosts. I am an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in Rosebud, South Dakota (east of the Pine Ridge Reservation). The other half of me is Ukrainian—our family calls my sister and me Siouxkrainian. I know a lot more about my Ukrainian side, but I have been wanting to learn more about what it means to be Indigenous, and “All My Relations” is a great source. But enough about me.

Matika Wilbur is a creator and storyteller from the Swinomish and Tulalip peoples of Coastal Washington who utilizes photography and videography. She started her career in Los Angeles doing fashion and commercial work. But in episode one of “All My Relations,” she talked about her lack of fulfillment in that industry and her desire for a different path. So, she taught visual art as a k-12 teacher for Native youth.

 

During her time as a teacher, she noticed that the representation of First Peoples in traditional curriculum and the media was either stereotypical or nonexistent. I mean let’s be honest; a lot of people in the US don’t know that Native American people exist. This is problematic. If there’s no accurate representation of Indigenous peoples in the media or schools or Indigenous role models to look up to, the potential and sense of identity of young Native peoples are negatively affected. This lack of identity perpetuates the suppression and lack of awareness of Native peoples.

Rosebud Quintana, Northern Ute and Dine

"In school, the chapters on Native American histories are mostly lies, or are just about the wars. It's the only perspective. But when you're home you have your parents and grandparents who tell you the stories that were passed down. Then you have the whole picture and can choose your side."

So what did Wilbur do about this? She started a HUGE photography project to document each federally recognized tribe—there are 562 of them—in the United States. It’s called Project 562. For the past five years, she’s been traveling across Indian Country in her RV and photographing its people to accomplish an important goal: “To Change the Way We See Native America” and to humanize a vanishing race. 

She embodies the interactive perspective discussed by Gardner. Her collaborations with different tribes are essential. She also exhibits the organizing theme of the relationship between the creator and others. She does not create in isolation—her newfound relationships with other people and tribes are what drive this project. Wilbur has been welcomed into hundreds and hundreds of tribal communities. People are eager to collaborate with her because they support her project and what it stands for. They want to see real change in the portrayal of Indigenous people. 

“Matika has visited members of over 300 sovereign nations throughout 40 states, from Tlingits in Alaska to the Pimas in Arizona, Pomos in California to Wampanoags on Cape Cod. Through her lens, we are able to see the diversity, vibrancy, and realness of Indian Country, and in seeing, challenge and surpass stereotypical representations and refresh the national conversation about contemporary Native America.”

                                        

Dr. Mary Evelyn Belgarde, Pueblo of Isleta and Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico

                                            

John Keikiala A'ana, Kanaka Maoli-Independent Nation of Hawaii

These collaborations allow for important conversations between tribal nations. Discussions about recovering from historical trauma, decolonization of the mind, wellness, tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and revitalization of culture make up the meat of Wilbur’s photograph captions, videos, and audio recordings. But most importantly, these conversations allow the stories that American Indians would like to be told to be told.

Wilbur’s project has allowed for the reclaiming of Indigenous histories from whitewashed versions. Once finished, this “consciousness-shifting” and creative work will be distributed through artistic publications, exhibitions, national curricula, and other online portals. “The time of sharing, building cultural bridges, abolishing racism and honoring the legacy that this country is built on is among us. Project 562 is that platform.” Matika Wilbur might even be a "Big-C" creative. She's revolutionizing the way the stories of Native Americans are being told. The histories and experiences of Native peoples are finally being told by Native peoples. That's extraordinary.

Watch this to learn more about Project 562

Sources:

https://www.allmyrelationspodcast.com/podcast

http://www.matikawilbur.com/about/

http://www.matikawilbur.com/project-562/

http://www.project562.com/gallery/ (read more about the people pictured here)

Gardner, Howard. Creating Minds, Ch. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JrRBQEQr3o&feature=youtu.be