Guardians of the Waters Exhibit
Curated by Nícola Wagenberg and Valerie Perez Ordoñez
In collaboration with John Jairo Valencia and Patrizia Cortez
April 4-27, 2019
The Cesar Chavez Student Center at San Francisco State Univesrsity
in the unceded and occupied territories of the Ramaytush Ohlone
Commemorative poster of Kathy Wallace and Diana Almendariz weaving by Jackie Fawn
We begin by acknowledging the first people of this land: the Ramaytush Ohlone. We honor the ancestors. Their struggle, what they had to give up and what they kept close to their hearts and passed down to us. We celebrate who we are: water, seeds, shells and stars. Native and indigenous people from diverse ancestral lands. We are the youth of today, ancestors of tomorrow. Through color pencil, abalone, poetry, tule, photography, juniper berries, digital art, canoes, video and paint we voice our beauty, sovereignty and true selves. We heal through art. It is our creative way of resistance and self-preservation. Through art we can demand reparations and contribute to repairing our unbalanced world. Now more than ever the world needs to see our vision and hear our voices rooted in indigenous knowledge and traditions. We invite you to listen and to be transformed.
“Being a guardian means I have a responsibility to Mother Earth, Father Sky, the wind, the fire, the water spirit, to love them by protecting all the sacredness. It is my duty to honor my ancestors. I can no longer stay idle, silent, and indecisive. I have all this knowledge gifted to me. Restore our planet to a healthy state.
I will transform the disease and illness of this planet and bring balance”
Dedication
We dedicate this exhibit to
Diana Almendariz (Maidu/Wintun)
and
Kathy Wallace (Karuk/Yurok/Hoopa/Mohawk)
Beloved Native California Indian Artists, Culture Bearers, and Teachers
Over decades of community service, Indigenous research, creative expression, land-care, sacrifice, cultural demonstrations, and intertribal and intercultural partnerships, these two Native women have inspired and educated thousands on the cultural brilliance and scientific knowledge of Native California Indian cultures, past, present, and future.
We thank you and your ancestors for all you have shared with us!
Presenting Artists
Youth and teachers of The Cultural Conservancy’s Guardians of the Waters Program
Diana Almendariz
Desiree Adams
Kaimana Barcarse
Holly Calica
Quinton Cabellon
Vreni Michelini Castillo
Yuriko E Castillian
Natalie Contreras
Patrizia Cortez
Jackie Fawn
Juliette Flores
Tomahawk Greyeyes
Mateo Hinojosa
Mina Karim
Melissa K Nelson
Stephanie Ortiz
Valerie Perez Ordoñez
Nancy Puc
Virginia Puc
Hablo Rodriguez-Williams
Jacquelyn Ross
Monserrat Rueda-Hernandez
Benjamin Shleffar
Jasmine Smith
Sienna Kateri Shaw
Sara Shaw
Jhon Jairo Valencia
