Native American

Posted on
Pin It

I have always wished I was part Native American. Since I was a little girl I have been fasnicated by the culture, people and history of the first and true Americans. At Thanksgiving when they dressed the kids up for the feast, I never wanted to be the Pilgrim. I wanted to be the Indian!  The Pilgrims seems so stiff, proper and BORING!  The Indian heritage spoke to me in a quiet whisper. 

Let’s not even get me started on the movie, “Dances With Wolves”. ……one of the most amazing movies ever. Ok, it’s fiction, but that doesn’t negate from the wonder that is that movie. If you look in my jewelry box you will find more than one chocker necklace made from natives on the reservations I’ve visited over the years.
Enter Rachelle.  She is a part of the Chickasaw Nation on her father’s side.  Rachelle is currently attending USC where she is majoring in art, but I have known her since she was a junior in my high school art class.  Rachelle was a kindred spirit from the day I met her.  I loved her soft demure, passion for all things art and strong moral convictions.  Rachelle is the type of girl that has no idea how beautiful she is on the outside which makes her even all the more lovely. 

Her artwork always pushed the creative envelope.  Her senior AP portfolio mixed wood, paint, fabric and even Polaroid images collaged together, while overlaying it in traditional painting.  Rachelle art wasn’t all experimental. Within her cutting edge work was a classical painting and drawing ability that I had rarely seen.  We have stayed in contact over the years since high school, so when I approached her with the idea of a photo shoot that celebrated her native heritage she jumped in with both feet.  

She wasn’t just going to be the model in the photo; she was going to help design the shoot.  Off to the craft store she headed, where she fashioned together the most stunning headdress!  Yes, the headdress in this shoot was created by Rachelle from scratch!    

The Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma is the 13th largest federally recognized tribe in the United States.
The Chickasaw migrated from western regions and moved east of the Mississippi River where they settled mostly in present-day northeast Mississippi. That is where they encountered European explorers and traders.

Before European contact, Chickasaw women wore dresses made from skins sewed together with fishbone needles and deer sinews. In winter they wrapped themselves in buffalo-calf skins with wintery shagged wool inward. Chickasaw women gave much attention to their appearance, never forgetting to anoint and tie up their hair, except in time of mourning, and bathe daily.

The following are cultural characteristics of the Chickasaw Nation:

* Respect for elders and other adults (teachers), is NOT to look into their eyes, but rather, to glance away.


* A unique relationship with nature as part of the circle of life, and entwined with the creator, mother earth, self and family (as a people). The Indian way is to respect nature, given to them to use – not abuse – by the great spirit.

* Lack of belief in ownership, so things such as the mother earth, nature and its natural resources, possessions, individual skills are to be shared among each other, not owned or fenced in, or kept from those in need, because all was given by the creator.

* Time is now and ever flowing; there is no need to hurry.


Rachelle, this was an amazing and artistic collaboration!  I am so proud of what you are becoming with your life and art!