Yet even today, many people believe that the only mission of an artist is to accurately portray reality (often only the "pretty" or acceptable parts of reality) as defined by others. . . the viewer, the critic, the legislator and so on.

Many artists resist being other-directed and portray their own "artist's" reality. Sometimes, I find my artistic truths by using indigenous viewpoints and ways as a part and basis of much of my work. I am not a Native Person. I am simply one who struggles like everyone else in figuring out my place in this cosmos. I find the honesty and inherent respectfulness of Native Peoples' ways a powerful and meaningful tool as I consider the great mystery of creation & existence.