This exhibit celebrates Native American history and culture through the art of four Native artists. It aims to tell the stories of Native peoples from their own perspectives, countering the idea that they are a people of the past. The art conveys important cultural symbols, memories, and messages to other Native people. While artistic traditions have evolved, this exhibit invites reflection on both continuity and change in Native American art, history, and culture.

1. HERE, WE TELL OUR
OWN STORY
A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE THROUGH ART

2. ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
What may seem to be “just art” to the Non-Native eye often
conveys much more to a member of the Native culture from which
it comes. Native art is often a story filled with symbolism that
shares important cultural memories and messages. According to
G. Peter Jemison (Seneca, Heron Clan), Historic Site Manager of
Ganondagan Seneca Art & Culture Center, “Our goal is to tell the
world that we are not a people in the past tense. We live
today. We have adapted to the modern world, but we still
maintain our language, ceremonies, land base, government,
lineages, and culture. When you’re a native person, your story is
often told by other people. Here, we tell our own story.”
This exhibit showcases four artists who tell their own stories
through their work. Their mode of expression is a gift that the
Creator gave them so that they can talk about the land, their
history, their treaties, the relationship among their tribes -- and
many other things. Each person and piece have something
important to share with the world. Visitors are free to reflect on
what they think the pieces mean and then to compare those ideas
with what the creators themselves say about their work. Artistic
traditions have survived and changed; they have been
remembered and recreated and adapted to new realities. These
objects invite you to reflect on both change and constancy -- and
most importantly, the continued significance of Native American
art, history, and culture.

3. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE
EXHIBIT

4. PHOTOGRAPHS
OF THE EXHIBIT
To see the videos that
accompany this exhibit,
please visit this website!

5. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EXHIBIT

6. ACCOMPANYING EXHIBIT BROCHURE

7. ACCOMPANYING EXHIBIT BROCHURE