The Shinnecock are a nation of Native Americans made up of 12 Algonquian-speaking tribes. This nation occupied the territory between Long Island and Connecticut, today their descendants live on a 400-acre reservation in Southampton and have over 1,200 enrolled members. Mia visited the Shinnecock reservation to do this interview with photographer and founder of Ma’s House BIPOC Art Studio Jeremy Dennis; beadwork artist and dancer Tohanash Tarrant; traditional singer, dancer, and artist  Standing Buffalo (Shane Weeks); and artist and educator Denise Silva Dennis.

SHINNECOCK INDIAN ARTISTS & EDUCATORS

We're all part of a web like a dreamcatcher. Everybody knows a dreamcatcher and whatever you do that’s wrong will eventually come back and affect you because we’re all connected. What would we like people to learn about Native Americans? I was an educator for over 21 years, so for me it's probably overcoming fear from the outside and fear from the inside to know the outside, so there needs to be more understanding.

What really helped me as a Shinnacock person was traveling out to different nations in the country and Canada and talking with people who went to the same things and where they're at in their historical cycle, colonization cycle. Tribes that are culturally similar to ours, that's what really helped me out was actually visiting.

Photo by Jeremy Daniels

This interview was conducted by Mia Funk with the participation of collaborating universities and students. Associate Interviews Producer on this podcast was Marley Hinschberger. Digital Media Coordinator is Phoebe Brous.

Mia Funk is an artist, interviewer and founder of The Creative Process & One Planet Podcast (Conversations about Climate Change & Environmental Solutions).