Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America

Native American stereotypes are ingrained in the fabric of our country. The preponderance of dated images found on the internet perpetuates the stereotype of first peoples as “historical people”, typically “leathered and feathered”. Contemporary depictions of Native Americans are equally problematic; Native American people are grossly omitted in massive media, and when present, usually appear in the stereotypical form of a “noble savage” or “spiritual being,” causing such portrayals to become popular understanding. These stereotypes, coupled with pervasive denigrating sports mascots, are difficult to combat. The 2010 Census indicates 8.8 million Americans identify as Native American, totaling 2.8% of the population. Many Americans may never have direct encounters with Native peoples and culture, aggravating the harmful impact of the falsehoods of massive media. Psychologist Stephanie Fryberg has argued that such misrepresentations damage the psyche of Native youth, who adopt these stereotypes, depressing how they feel about themselves, their community, and what they have the potential to become. Without positive representations, individuals are more likely to under-perform and may redefine themselves in unnecessarily negative terms. Such misrepresentations have the power to depress community efficacy in Native tribes, something that inhibits a people’s vision for a positive future. Matika believes that correcting the damage to Native communities begins with identifying and promoting positive indigenous role models from this century. For hundreds of years, Natives have called for the authentic stories of their peoples to be told. Stories of cultural resiliency, struggles with identity, and the accomplishments of Native heroes—these are the stories that live within Project 562. By exposing the tenacity and richness of contemporary Native life, Project 562 will encourage a paradigm shift in the nation’s consciousness toward Native American identity, history, and contemporary presence. For generations of Native youth, such a systemic shift will provide a better chance for a more equitable future—uprooting racial hierarchies and allowing for the opportunity to achieve their true potential. Currently, there is not one single source accessible to the public that provides visual representation of each of the 567 tribes of The United States. Project 562 is one of the only contemporary photographic projects of this magnitude to be completed exclusively by a Native Photographer and the only large-scale effort to capture the vibrancy of current Native culture through audio recorded interviews and captivating portraiture. To our knowledge, a database such as the one being compiled through Project 562 has never been achieved. "The time of sharing, building cultural bridges, abolishing racism and honoring the legacy that this country is built on is among us. Project 562 is that platform." - Matika Wilbur