Wilbur presentation shows Natives through new lens

Shelter Bay welcomes nationally recognized artist and lecturer Matika Wilbur sharing an exhibit of her award-winning photography and a lecture in the Shelter Bay Clubhouse on May 19 at 4 p.m. Matika is a member of the Swinomish and Tulalip tribes and graduated from La Conner High School. The public is invited and admission is free.

Wilbur is the creator and director of Project 562 and the only Native American photographer and social documentarian to be welcomed into each of the 562+ Native American sovereign territories in the United States. For the past four years, Wilbur has collaborated with scores of tribes to share the images and truths of Native American Peoples.

Join us for an evening of discussion as Wilbur presents “Changing The Way We See Native America,” providing remarkable insights into contemporary Native American life, driving the conversation forward to encourage U.S. citizens to evolve beyond the appropriation and neglect of indigenous images and traditions through a new model of awareness, with honest photographic representation and direct narratives of America’s first people.

Wilbur says, “I believe the viewers will experience great understanding and connection with these remarkable people, just as they have enlightened and inspired me. By exposing the astonishing variety of the Indian presence and reality, we will build cultural bridges, abandon stereotypes and renew and inspire our national legacy.”

She has chosen to devote herself to photography as a creator and messenger, producing multiple acclaimed exhibitions in leading museums and other venues of her striking portraits of Pacific Northwest and other Native peoples.

In this endeavor she has visited members of over 400 sovereign nations throughout 50 states, from Tlingits in Alaska to the Pima 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.

Shelter Bay Community is sponsoring this show and lecture as the first of what is hoped to be many special Community Outreach Lectures. If you have ideas or suggestions for future events please give the office a call at 360-466-3805.