Matika Wilbur set out to photograph members of every officially recognized Native American tribe in North America.
Matika Wilbur.
Matika Wilbur
Wilbur is of Swinomish and Tulalip descent. After her grandmother told her in a dream to abandon her project in South America and shoot her own people, she began Project 562.
For Project 562, she traveled hundreds of thousands of miles and photographed members of several Native American tribes.
The “Journey for Existence” of the Walkers.
Matika Wilbur
In 2012, there were 562 officially recognized Native American tribes when Wilbur began her investigation. There are 574 now.
The project has evolved from a picture series to a documentary to a comprehensive collection of Native Americans, their communities, and their tales.
Chief Bill James of the Lummi tribe.
Matika Wilbur
Wilbur told Insider in 2016 that the wording used to describe this initiative is always being revised.
Wilbur captured her subjects on black-and-white film using the Zone System technique.
Bahazhoni Tso, Navajo Nation.
Matika Wilbur
The Zone System produces images with a greater dynamic range.
She is attracted to portraits of peers with basic landscape backgrounds.
Dr. Mary Evelyn Belgarde, Isleta and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblos.
Matika Wilbur
Wilbur stated, “I thought it was somewhat irresponsible when I began this project to drive across the country and not photograph the landscape.”
She gave her subjects control over how they would be depicted by allowing them to pick where and how they would be photographed.
Leon Grant, Omaha.
Matika Wilbur
“Sometimes when I’m in the Grand Canyon, I’d rather take someone’s picture at Havasupai Falls because it’s amazing and there’s this incredible blue-green water flowing out of the earth… but they prefer to be shot on their front porch because they love where they live,” she explained. People should be portrayed in a way that is significant to them, especially in Indian Country, therefore I’ll do what they want.
Wilbur stated, “We’ve been photographed so many times by non-Indians, and our stories have been told so many times by individuals outside of our community, but they get the story incorrect.”
The Tulalip tribal members Darkfeather, Bibiana, and Eckos Ancheta.
Matika Wilbur
Wilbur captured three members of the Tulalip tribe in the above portrait: Darkfeather, Bibiana, and Eckos Ancheta.
“We intend to rectify this narrative through sincere individual agency and narratives,” she stated.
Jaclyn Roessel, Dine’ (Navajo Nation).
Matika Wilbur
Jaclyn Roessel, a member of the Dine’ (Navajo Nation), appeared for one of Wilbur’s photos.
Wilbur asked individuals about themselves and their lives as she photographed them.
Northern Cheyenne Jennie Parker with granddaughter Sharlyce.
Matika Wilbur
The topics of their chats included family, love, heartbreak, defining events, and future aspirations.
Additionally, she inquired about their Native American identities.
Rupert Steele, Goshute.
Matika Wilbur
“I find that people have really interesting things to say when you ask them what it means to be their tribe and when you ask them what it means to be a ‘Indian,’” she explained. “I’m intrigued by that.”
On occasion, her subjects wore traditional Native attire, while others wore common attire.
Ailee Fregoso, Sioux of the Cheyenne River.
Matika Wilbur
Ailee Fregoso of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe displayed her multicolored shawl with fringe.
What began as a series of photographs has evolved into an archive rich in history, culture, language, and resiliency.
Kumu Ka’eo Izon, Kanaka Maoli.
Matika Wilbur
Wilbur is also a co-host of the podcast All My Relations, in which she, Desi Small-Rodriguez, and Adrienne Keene discuss their connections to land, ancestors, and other Native peoples.
Wilbur stated, “I am very fortunate to know so many amazing folks.”
Myra Masiel Zamora is a member of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.
Matika Wilbur
She said, “I had no idea that strangers can become family so rapidly.” It has been such a whirlwind adventure.
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