Can You Carry the Story? The Responsibility of Creating Indigenous Art

kitthomasart
Jul 12
2 min read

Updated: 16 hours ago

Last night I met a Non-Indigenous Caucasian artist who proudly told me they create “Aboriginal art”…. (Did you’re body tense up?)

That wording immediately stood out to me.

As an Indigenous person, “Aboriginal” is not a word I personally use to describe myself. For many Indigenous people today, terms like First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or Indigenous are more commonly used.

Then she showed me her artwork.

I recognized imagery connected to the creation story , so I started sharing the story behind one of the symbols.

They didn’t know it and they didn’t seem to want care. I was cut off as they kept describing how “pretty” it was continuing with how they interpreted the symbols. (Which had nothing to do with our teachings)

That was the moment I felt the disconnect.

The artwork was beautiful. The care behind it was genuine. They deeply empathize with Indigenous experiences and want to be an ally.

But empathy is not the same as lived experience.

Indigenous art is not only about what something looks like. It carries teachings, history, relationships, and responsibility.

The story is what gives it power.

As an Indigenous Mohawk artist, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome majority of my life. I question myself because I understand the weight of what I carry. Our stories are connected to our ancestors, our languages, our medicines, our ceremonies, and the generational trauma our communities continue to heal from.