Erin Lefevre

Indigenous people are referenced in the past tense throughout American history books and are often misrepresented in the media through stereotypes. Colonization of the Americas killed an estimated 100 million Native Americans- around 90% of the population. Indigenous communities have repeatedly proved their resilience in the face of genocide, wars, assimilation attempts, stolen land, and poverty. Despite facing adversity, Indigenous people have persevered through these hardships and passed down their culture for generations to come. 

These portraits were created to honor Indigenous people celebrating their culture at various pow-wows across the U.S. By referencing the past with black and white medium format film, these present-day portraits show that Indigenous people are not only an essential part of American history- they are also an integral part of America's present, and future.