Dancing for Our Tribe: Potawatomi Traditions in the New Millennium

Four Rivers is collaborating with the Three Rivers Public Library District for a special temporary exhibit, “Dancing for Our Tribe.”  From the artist Sharon Hoogstraten: “This legacy Potawatomi portrait collection is for our future seven generations and for the artful education of those who presume Great Lakes Native America to be a vanquished race. Using high resolution photography and image processing technology, I’ve blended richly detailed regalia with backgrounds of native woodlands or points west where so many of our tribe were forcibly relocated — a visual effect reminiscent of the painted backdrops of the 1900s Indian portraits. In ‘Dancing for Our Tribe,’ I portray a fresh reality of the descendants: People who live in a world of sewing machines, synthetic fabrics, military service, favorite sports teams, high-resolution digital cameras and a new millennium. They have merged loss, optimism and contemporary life by creating a riveting celebration of continued existence — loudly declaring, ‘WE ARE STILL HERE!’”