Indigenous Expressions

So many Indigenous technologies have informed, inspired, or anticipated modern-day design and technology innovations – like the kayak, snow goggles, fur parka, and so much more. Read Part 1 and 2 of a new story by Alaska's Anchorage Museum.

Artists have ways of shedding light onto histories and truths that leave lasting impressions. From forced relocation to the generational traumas of residential schools to internal strength and self-awareness, Indigenous contemporary artists add to our understanding of such histories, truths, and lived experiences.

Contemporary Indigenous women singer-songwriters’ voices carry the traditions of their ancestors forward to the present moment, and project Indigenous voices into the future. Take a look back at legends to up-and-coming artists with a new story by The Kennedy Center.

New York's only remaining Lenape group, is sharing a photographic story about the return home of ancestral seeds to Lenapehoking. This series by Devin Pickering, taken over a period of five months, was also mounted at the Perelman Performing Arts Center.

Kayapó women are known in Brazil as Warrior Women, fighting for justice for their land and people. Explore more of the life, work, and intricate artisan work by the women of the Kayapó people.

Throughout the 21st century, Indian Country has been a part of a renaissance of governmental successes. From health care and community development, to agriculture and education, nations are (re)building their communities. 

Although the Potawatomi language, Bodéwadmimwen, continues to flourish and spread to new segments of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) population, the number of first language speakers continues to decrease.

The CPN Language Department uses many online platforms to teach students of all ages how to speak Bodéwadmimwen. Digital tools have helped department employees approach public schools surrounding Tribal land to offer a course approved for world language credit in Oklahoma. They continue to expand with introductory courses for middle schools as well as collegiate material.

Among them is Woolaroo, an experimental web-app where users can take a picture of common plants, animals, items and more to and see and hear the Potawatomi words for them played back to them. It features more than 900 Potawatomi words and phrases.

Potawatomi culture is rooted in language and oral traditions of storytelling and exchanging knowledge. Lessons, thoughts and ideas, ceremonies, agricultural practices and more were passed along by word of mouth, with no written language.

The words, phrases and verb conjugations all show and explain how the Potawatomi saw and continue to see the world with an emphasis on a connection to the earth, a high regard for mother nature and living beings, and a communal lifestyle.

The language also expresses the values that take precedent for making decisions, both large and small: honesty, wisdom, love, humility, truth, bravery and respect. 

Many CPN tribal members feel language remains the thread that ties all Nishnabé culture together.

Much of Bodéwadmimwen reveals what Potawatomi people prioritize. The déwégen, or drum, comes from the words dé (heart), wé (a sound) and gen (a thing) – or “the sound of a heartbeat.” Used in the most sacred ceremonies and biggest social occasions that bring 
Potawatomi together, the Nishnabé describe the drum as “the heartbeat of the Nation.”

The Potawatomi people survived displacement several times in the mid to late-1800s. Originally from the Great Lakes region, the Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their homelands by the U.S. government to a reservation in present-day Kansas in the late 1830s.

Named the Trail of Death, the devastating passage resulted in more than 40 Potawatomi losing their lives, mostly women and children.

After two more treaties with the federal government in the 1860s, the Potawatomi then took allotments in Indian Territory, or present-day Oklahoma. The language and culture persisted despite generations of Potawatomi being taught by missionaries and attending Indian 
boarding schools far away from their families.

These forced removals and the era of Federal policy aimed at terminating Tribal Governments were a severe detriment to Potawatomi language and culture. The Nation has been adding resources to preserve the language and culture through online and in-person activities.  

The Tribe hosts the annual Family Reunion Festival each June. The weekend’s events culminate with the powwow, when the Nation honors ancestors and traditions through dancing, regalia and competitions.

After the century-long diaspora experienced by the Potawatomi, the Nation’s members are spread out across the country. Many travel to Oklahoma each summer for the festival and powwow; however, CPN and its members have been using technology more to connect and learn – including to teach the language.

During competitive dances, Tribal members often participate to honor someone else and consider their movement and the music a deep connection with the Creator and earth.