Place-based indigenous artwork series comes to Yellowstone
Mountain Time Arts is pleased to present “Yellowstone Revealed,” a series of place-based projects by an inter-tribal group of Indigenous artists and scholars that will premiere in Yellowstone National Park in August 2022.
Yellowstone Revealed’s upcoming public artworks are noninvasive, temporary projects designed to demonstrate the historic and continued presence of Indigenous people in the Yellowstone region. The multidisciplinary artworks coincide with Yellowstone National Park’s 150th anniversary and will seek to put forward Indigenous truths and perspectives. Yellowstone Revealed will provide a platform and long-overdue opportunity to envision and co-create the future of the park.
Lead artists include Dr Shane Doyle (Apsáalooke), Patti Baldes (Northern Arapaho/Northern Paiute), Dean Nicolai (Bitterroot Salish) and Tim Ryan (Salish). The Cultural and Artistic co-producers are Ren Freeman (Eastern Shoshone) and Mary Ellen Strom. Partnering organizations include Mountain Time Arts, Yellowstone National Park, the City of Gardiner, Yellowstone Forever, National Parks Conservation Association, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Pretty Shield Foundation and Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council.
photo by Jacob W Frank
– REMATRIATE by Patti Baldes // On August 24th and 25th, join at sunset near Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner to witness an artwork that will showcase seven moving buffalo sculptures made of willow branches. Fourteen dancers and ten drummers will bring the buffalo to life. The focus of Baldes’ project is land rematriation through buffalo restoration.
– ReVisiting the Stories: Indigenous Environmental Stewardship by Dean Nicolai & Tim Ryan // A series of interpretive hikes, demonstrations and storytelling that will take place at various locations such as Sheep Eaters Cliff, Storm Point and Obsidian Cliff from 9am–3pm August 23rd–27th. The purpose of this series is to give park visitors insight into diverse Indigenous knowledges, ways of knowing, and connection to landscapes. During this five-day period, five different representative knowledge keepers will lead hikes and engage with park visitors. The tribal speakers will represent their distinct, diverse connection to Yellowstone’s landscapes. Knowledge keepers and hike leaders include Aaron Brien, Apsáalooke; Conrad Fisher, Tsistsistas/Suhtaio; Lailani Upham, an Amskapi Pikuni; Johnny Arlee from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes among others. Space for this event is limited and reservations are required.
– All Nations Teepee Village by Shane Doyle // This project will feature twelve teepee lodges and fifteen teepee rings that signify a new era of Indigenous inclusion and representation in YNP. The spaces represent the twenty-seven affiliated tribal nations of the Yellowstone area. The installation will come to life with a community of tribal representatives sharing knowledge with Park visitors alongside their traditional lodges from 9am–5pm August 23rd–27th. Performances nightly August 23rd–25th at 8pm.
– Lighted Teepees: Resiliency of the People by Pretty Shield Foundation & Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council // Seven teepees will be installed by Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner and lighted nightly at sunset from August 23rd–27th.
Mountain Time Arts drives change through the cultivation of bold and engaging public art projects and programs that explore the history, culture and environment of the Rocky Mountain West and its Sovereign Nations. Learn more about MTA and additional information about Yellowstone Revealed at www.mountaintimearts.org. •
