~ Would you believe me if I told you all of these women are beautifully Indigenous? Would you believe me if I explained how each of them come from different tribes scattered within the South Eastern parts of the US. Can you imagine growing up in communities that strive for a certain “look” because in many other ways they feel invalidated. Invalidated by the government that tries to dictate and determine what it means to be a Indigenous individual. Invalidated by other tribes that over time grew bitter within themselves, because they too have to constantly prove their identity. Now imagine the way in which those ideals are projected onto your own people. Imagine further pushing the idea of what another Native is meant to look like….amongst yourselves. Imagine having negativity pushed your way simply for how you look…for how you were born. Take a look at each one of these women. At some point in time….the idea that they are meant to have straight long dark hair was pushed upon them. At some point, if not multiple points they were shamed for having curly hair. Not only shamed for having it, but for allowing it to stay that way. Can you imagine being called unkempt….just for your hair being the way it is? Could you imagine having to constantly change your imagine to fit the ideals of others? Because I guarantee you…each one of these women on their individual journeys has gone through the shame of having hair like ours.
When the idea of this shoot was placed before me I knew I had to be apart of it. I knew I had to give visibility to those who can feel ostracized for something they can’t help. Something they love about themselves, but is not always loved by others. We all have experienced what it is like to know when it came to special events like getting your photo taken professionally, your hair was to be done. That is the way things were, and in many houses still are. There is a shame akinned feeling placed within Indigenous people. This photoshoot was meant to help us all escape that feeling of having to look a certain way. It was to be a moment a freedom from all of the criticism, and the constant scrutiny. Looking back, I can say without a shadow of a doubt we were all free this day. We laughed so much are jaws locked, we ran and played like children, but most of all…we embraced every part of ourselves. We took our power back, and breathed life into each other. We complimented and loved each other for what we are naturally. It was a true gift that do not believe any of us will ever take for granted. When I say this is the single most joyous photo shoot I have ever had the honor to be apart of, that is exactly what I mean. If my everyday was as happy and good as this one, I would never be able to appreciate it for what it was….MAGIC…a new beginning...a Renaissance.
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