Author Discussion with Sharon Hoogstraten

Author Discussion and Q&A with Photographer and Author Sharon Hoogstraten (Citizen Band Potawatomi Nation) 

Photographer and Citizen Potawatomi Sharon Hoogstraten has created a permanent record of present-day Potawatomis wearing the traditional regalia passed down through the generations, but modified to reflect the influence and storytelling of contemporary life:

“In the last ten years of photographing and listening to personal stories, it is regalia that forms the basis of my cultural exploration. Through my portraits, I know these Potawatomi descendants are living modern lives, while reflecting deeply on the ancestors whose footsteps we tread on. They are not wearing ‘costumes’ and unlike street clothes, each dancer knows exactly where their clothing comes from and what it means. In charming ways, artifacts of modern life make an appearance – a Nike sock, Converse shoes, beaded Hello Kitty medallion, etc. Some are in full regalia, and others, just a ribbon shirt. These are contemporary Native people. What is most compelling to me is that they are both preserving and evolving ceremony and handcrafts for the seven generations going forward. I’ve titled this body of work Dancing for Our Tribe—Potawatomi Tradition in the New Millennium in honor of our dancers and because photography is my dance.