Surviving Disappearance, Re-Imagining & Humanizing Native Peoples: Matika Wilbur at TEDxSeattle

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Published 2013-07-19
Matika Wilbur, one of the Pacific Northwest's leading photographers, has exhibited extensively in regional, national, and international venues such as the Seattle Art Museum, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, The Tacoma Art Museum, the Royal British Columbia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Nantes Museum of Fine Arts in France. She studied photography at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Montana and received a bachelor's degree from Brooks Institute of Photography in California. Her work led her to becoming a certified teacher at Tulalip Heritage High School, providing inspiration for the youth of her own indigenous community.

Matika, a Native American woman of the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes (Washington), is unique as an artist and social documentarian in Indian Country. The insight, depth, and passion with which she explores the contemporary Native identity and experience are communicated through the impeccable artistry of each of her silver gelating photographs.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
All Comments (21)
  • @tereferekuku87
    Native Americans, you are the hope for the future, You, Your wisdom and knowledge, love for the nature, connection with earth. You and your ansestor always knew the most important values!! I wish you all the best. I wish USA and CANADA give back your land! I wish peace for You with all my heart
  • @ScottHolmes
    Here is an ambitious, enthusiastic and intelligent individual embarked on a quest to reintroduce the people of the First Nations to the world.  There is a disconnect between what is experienced through the Media and what is actual.  Matika Wilbur is striving to correct this.
  • @Merlin-ur1dz
    Love for all humanity ❤ making like it's is in our true home 🏡 and who are we wake up my people with love and blessing you all ❤❤❤there nothing more to say but love ❤
  • @japrox1
    I love it when she talks about the first picture. I knew exactly what she was talking about. I hated seeing traditional pictures growing up on the rez because it's like saying you're only suppose to be traditional when, in fact, I wanted to be like everyone else off the rez. I wanted to be able to compete with the outside world and keep up with modern society. I'm glad someone finally said something about the stereotyping.
  • @dyodie07
    Very powerful. Thank you for TED talk for allowing Native voices tell their stories just like this amazing woman and her cause. I feel empowered by people like this to become a stronger Native woman for my community. Ahe'hee!
  • @Merlin-ur1dz
    We have knowing who we are mother of all countries ❤
  • @vasaramuse
    This made me cry. In a good way.  Much love and respect from this NM Native.
  • @warlordera5409
    Man, the comments for these types of videos can get seriously weird. Anyways, it's a great thing what she's doing.
  • @jandunn169
    I am so happy to discover these talks and happy that so many Native Americans are speaking. American needs your voices. You are like beautiful seeds rising toward the sky. My entire family in Ukraine disappeared when the Nazis invaded in 1940. I have a picture of all those who were killed. Thankfully my grandfather came to America. I also had other Native American ancestors whom I think about everyday who suffered greatly when Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico.
  • @frankyandme2
    KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MATIKA.....GET THE MESSAGE OUT TO THE WORLD...!!
  • @jefrobiskit
    Matika, I appreciate your heartfelt joy. i pray that our ancestors can provide us sustainability for this difficult journey.
  • @jensheavavideos
    I admire your courage Matika and I am in awe of  your photographs and stories.  :)
  • @catherinehunter7354
    Thank you for helping me see beautiful humans and the world in a a more complete way. May native people be more fully themselves safely. It is time.
  • @ellanina801
    Have you visited the Washoe People? I am white, but we have friends of the family who are Washoe. I love your work—so beautiful, and I love that you get to meet so many beautiful and wonderful people on your journey! 💖💖💖. ✊. I hope that we can get the waterworks back to the Paiute People who they were stolen from. I will spread the word. They belong to the descendants of those who built them. Obviously, that is just one thing on a very long list. We will continue to fight the injustices. I can’t believe the nastiness these horrible abusers do against Native People, it disgusts me. I stand with The Rebuilders, and all Native People. ✊✊✊. Much love! 🌈💖
  • @annexuanclark2500
    Matika, it's been a few years since we met in La Conner. Denise Stiffarm shared your Ted Talk on FB and I watched it from my balcony in Bali. I'm awestruck by your photos coupled with the stories. Thank you so much for sharing, and giving us a small glimpse of everyday life for Native peoples.
  • @Hokaheyhockey
    I hope she makes it out to the Rotinosonni (the "Iroquois") Confederacy of 6 nations in Canada and the U.S. and she also interviews us who are even more invisible as we have been swept up into the Urban Diaspora of the cities of Montreal, New York and Chicago.
  • @stephenarmiger8343
    Very good! I cherish the conversations and shared experiences that I have had with tribal people. I feel very fortunate to have been able to work together with tribal people in the wildland fire community. Wildland fire is unique in that way.