Family legend says my Great Grandmother (my Mom was born in 1936) was an unregistered Native American, from the Blackfoot tribes. Trying to find proof through research and interviewing family opened my eyes to genocide, mix blood vs full blood, identification through tribal clan names, reservations, food sovereignty, native cuisine, illness, mental and physical from government sponsored food sources. I decided not to research anymore, it was pretty depressing and let that part of my lineage go.
The part of my family that carries native genetics lives up near the Idaho/Canada border and they are reclusive to say the least. Plus there is a lot of resentments from the native population dealing with people like me trying to figure out their pioneer bloodlines. So I did a painting of my Great Grandmother as a young girl to honor her and let it all go. Figuring out my bloodlines really does not define who I am right now, but it may explain why I am so sensitive to the modern industrial diet. That is another story I will be telling.
The painting is taken from an old black and white photo taken of a young Piegan maiden back in the 1890s during the great tribal gatherings. We only have photos of my Great Grandma when she was very young and we aren't totally sure the photo is actually her.
Watercolor, gouache, 300lb hot press cotton paper 23 x 30 inches
