Telling the Truth: 'Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America'

The Swinomish and Tulalip photographer, filmmaker, podcaster and author Matika Wilbur shares her Indian/Spirit name "Tsa-Tsique," meaning "she who teaches children," with her mom, Nancy Wilbur. During an hour phone interview, Wilbur shared the story of her decade long journey leading to her new photography book "Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America." The 10 inch by 10 inch 416-page book can be ordered now.

Her research took her to all 50 states. It started in 2012 as a Kickstarter project. She has taken photos and gathered stories of Indigenous people from over 400 tribal nations.

I asked her, "why photography?" and she told me about how she wanted to learn how to do photography at the age of 17, while attending La Conner High School. Under the tutelage of an after-school instructor, Mr. Smith, she got her opportunity. She said, "he helped me get enrolled in a Skagit Valley College photography course and took the class with me. Not only that, he built a dark room for me to use."

She was also able to catch up on her homework because she had also decided to give up drinking (sober 22 years now). Smith was not the only person who believed in her and helped her get on this destined path. She also had a female mentor, who took her to the Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

"I got to watch lectures by different photographers who had gone all over the world to be photographers – like National Geographic explorers," she said. Wilbur wanted to be like them, thinking "as a photographer you get to travel the world and meet people. That's what I want to do, it was so inspiring for me."

She then took a summer intensive course at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, where she created a portfolio. From age 18-21 years old she continued on with a three year program at Brooks Institute of Photography, where she became a "well trained photographer, studying digital imaging and advertising."

Behind the lens, there is much more that Wilbur is trying to do. She seeks to capture and portray contemporary Native Americans in a truthful way, but she also wants to educate others who may have a stereotypical archaic idea of Indigenous people.

She reflected on her own experience growing up: "I felt like I should be ashamed of my Indian identity." She remembered when she was going to school she was told, "'you have to get good grades, you have to get a good education so you can leave this place, so you don't end up a fisherman.' I can remember a lot of the teachers saying stuff to me like that. I think that's really toxic, I don't think there is anything wrong like wanting to be like my ancestors who have been here, doing this for thousands of years. Being a fisherman is an honorable and beautiful way to live." Her mother, Nancy, and other tribal relatives crab and fish.

She explained, "Statements like this are especially dangerous for Native American children and contribute to outcomes like low self-esteem, according to Dr. Stephanie Fryberg's research. She noted, "many people think we (Native Americans) are extinct." Her 250 images depict a very alive and thriving population of Indigenous people all across the nation telling their stories. She also wants this body of work, especially for the Native youth, to be one where they see themselves reflected.

She is concerned that "82% of Native children polled in this country think they won't live past the age of 25." She hopes that in pursing her dream and sharing her work, especially through school systems, she will become a role model, giving hope and inspiration to kids who may want to be a photographer someday, travel the world and help change the narrative.

She is aware of the great personal sacrifice she made, being away from her homelands. She has missed a lot of community functions and events, funerals and being an "Auntie" for her nephew. However, "I met some kids along the way ... that I became 'Auntie' to. I have great friends now and was allowed to participate in different ceremonies. This was also a spiritual journey for me as well."

Wilbur invites everyone to her first event. Swinomish will help "sing her book in." at a shared presentation with guest speakers April 25, 7 p.m. It will be open to the public and hosted at the Social Services Building, 17337 Reservation Road. She will be at Seaport Books in La Conner's Gilkey Square July 6. The store is taking book orders.

In between, her family will take their RV on another cross-country trip to launch the book.

Find out more about "Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America" at project562.com/the-book.

There is a 40-page learning guide for high school students for classroom use. Email her for a copy.