Day 19. Contemporary Voices – Indigenous Authors & Artists Reclaiming the Future.
The new generation of Indigenous authors and artists are reimagining the story of survival. Writers like Joy Harjo, Louise Erdrich, and Tommy Orange explore identity, displacement, and hope with luminous courage. Artists like Jeffrey Gibson and Rebecca Belmore transform tradition into modern resistance.
Culture as Revolution
Their work speaks to a living continuum: Indigenous culture is not relic-it is revolution. Through poetry, painting, and performance, these creators assert sovereignty over story and self. Their pieces are crucial acts of cultural affirmation and political statement, proving that art is a powerful force for continuance.
Art as Theology
As Unitarian Universalists, we honor art as a vessel of truth and transformation. These voices challenge us to confront colonial histories and to listen, learn, and act in solidarity. Art, after all, is theology made visible.
“I know I walk in beauty. It is my resistance and my prayer.” – Joy Harjo
Reflection: How can your community uplift contemporary Indigenous creators year-round?
Learn More
- Read There There by Tommy Orange, the debut novel by the Cheyenne and Arapaho author, which uses the experiences of multiple interconnected Indigenous characters living in Oakland, California, to examine urban Indigenous identity.
- Visit Jeffrey Gibson: The Body Electric – explore the archive of this significant exhibit, which showcases Gibson’s transformation of traditional Native American materials into vibrant, contemporary sculptures and artworks that merge queer theory, club culture, and beadwork.
- Explore the Work of Rebecca Belmore – Vvew the collection of works by the Anishinaabe performance and installation artist, whose politically charged work focuses on themes of violence against women, water rights, and Indigenous sovereignty.
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