Trying to portray how Native American tribes in the United States live today, photographer Matika Wilbur took a 60,000 mile roadtrip to document 560 Native American tribes for her Native Americans photography series 'Project 56.'
Part of the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes, the Pacific Northwest photographer felt somewhat responsible to represent the contemporary Native American identity.
To understand her roots, Wilbur started to document her community’s elders which then turned into the full-on 'Project 562.' Working to correct stereotypes about these tribes, Wilbur both photographed and documented tribal communities.
"My goal is to represent Native people from every tribe. By exposing the astonishing variety of the Indian presence and reality at this juncture, we will build cultural bridges, abandon stereotypes, and renew and inspire our national legacy," says Wilbur.
The Native Americans photography series can be found on Wilbur's extensive Kickstarter project page.
Authentic Tribal Photography
This Native American Photography Series is Bold and Educational
Trend Themes
1. Authentic Tribal Photography - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a platform for Native American photographers to showcase and sell their authentic tribal photography globally.
2. Cultural Representation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a virtual reality experience that allows users to immerse themselves in different Native American tribal cultures.
3. Community Documentation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a mobile app that enables members of tribal communities to document and share their own stories and traditions.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate artificial intelligence into photography equipment to enhance the capturing and editing capabilities for photographers.
2. Virtual Reality - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with Native American tribes to develop virtual reality educational programs that promote cultural understanding and appreciation.
3. Mobile Apps - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with indigenous communities to create mobile apps that preserve and revitalize indigenous languages and connect tribal members around the world.