IFAM(E)

IFAM(E)

INDIGENOUS FINE ART MARKET EAST

May 20 - 22

AT MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER 

As an artist, it is an honor to be able to open up the Nation's largest Indigenous Fine Art Market. Friday night is the kick off for the Indigenous Fine Arts Market IFAM(E) here in the dawnlands of turtle island. I was asked to open the event up with a traditional eastern style dance to represent my people here in the east. As indigenous people, our artwork is crafted into everything we physically make. From the tools, to vessel of transportation, to our homes, to the clothes we wear, it is an extension of identity. It's inspiring to be able to see the work put into each piece. I am also excited to see my relatives, teachers, and close friends from the Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance representing the identity of our eastern shores. 

One thing that is important to highlight is the people who are tremendously working behind the scenes for this event. From the tribal members, to the museum staff, to the IFAM(E) staff, to the artists. It's amazing how hard everyone is working together to bring such medicine to the communities.  

IFAM(E) is expected to be the largest 3-day juried Native American art show and celebration on the east coast host by the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in partnership with IFAM(E) and the Northeast Indigenous Arts Alliance taking place May 20-22. 

90 artist representing 50 nations, 40% of the artist are from the Northeastern territory will show and sell contemporary and traditional fine art in the museum's Gathering Space. The unique aspect of IFAM(E) in this inclusion of not only visual but performing and culinary indigenous artists to include hip hop and reggae bands, singer-songwriters, traditional music and dance, film, fashion, installation art, mural painting, youth art, and traditional and contemporary foods. 

GLOW PARTY 

FASHION SHOW

LIVE MURAL

STORYTELLING

FILM FESTIVAL

YOUTH CREATION STATION

BUFFET BRUNCH

 PERFORMANCES

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS 

I'm back and I'm better!!!!

Aquene,
Kuttobotanimish for taking the time to check out my blog. It has been quite sometime since my last post; however, the work behind the scenes hasn't stopped or even slowed down! There is much to catch you all up on.

Shinnecock Legal Team Member Kelly Dennis,
John Dossett NCAI General Counsel at
Havard Law Native People's Native Politics Conference 

I am currently working at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center and am working closely with the nation's top researchers. It's important we (as indigenous people) become literate on the terms used in the academia world as well as the legal world. Interestingly enough they speak the same language

I am also doing executive work for the National Association for Cultural and Heritage Preservation; which is a newly founded organization that vests its best interest in preserving the culture and heritage of indigenous peoples nationally. After returning from the 2015 Justice or Else Million Man March I was asked to sit on the board of the Unite or Die Campaign  as the Native American Liaison. Communities from all around the world have many similarities in not only history but in today's society. Unite or Die's mission is to unite these communities. (nearly running out of breathe)...and of course there are over 7 social media platforms I manage and create content for...

Lead Organizer for #HIPHOP4FLINTPVD 

For my new followers, most of the posts are focused on what others are doing throughout the world, not so much myself...lol I just was hoping to give some insight of what's happening behind the scenes. As you can see, I haven't much time to post like I was before, but I will do my best to post here and there because there are some amazing things happening in "Indian Country". The more positive energy that can be spread throughout our communities the stronger we will become.

My intentions with the posts going forward are to help in the awakening on the conscious mind of the rising leadership in our communities as well as spark transparent communication with our current leadership. Who is "leadership" you may ask? The content in which I am using the term leadership is referring to "any" type of role in our communities, political, spiritual, household, peer to peer, educational, governmental, diplomatic, legal, historically,state, or federally recognized tribes. Often times when the term tribal leadership is used it tends to be only used for those who are in the tribal governmental structures, but our tribal life ways are lead by many individuals throughout our tribal communities. The intent to awaken the consciousness of our communities is in hopes to bring back our traditional ways of community. As a collective we have began to become so far assimilated we are losing the wellness of our communities. We must resurrect the traditional ways to maintain our well-being.