EPISODE 13: LIFT EACH OTHER UP: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE SHINNECOCK TRIBAL NATION
JOIN US FOR A ROUND TABLE WITH with guests Dyashwa Sylvester, Jeremy Dennis, and Jessie Adler AS WE discuss perspectives from the shinnecock tribal nation.
THE ROUND TABLE EXPLORES
On this episode, we are in conversation with photographer Jeremy Dennis, filmmaker Jessie Adler, and Director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Shinnecock Nation Dyashwa Sylvester. Together we discuss working with Indigenous youth, how pivotal it is for their stories to be told through a native lens, and the importance of hyperlocal community storytelling. Additionally we discuss the 100cameras program led by Jeremy and Jessie and in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Shinnecock Nation in New York USA.
Learn with us from their expertise about how locally led initiatives can do more to support individuals and communities.
“I think that there’s been a loss of identity over the years. We had to assimilate, and that assimilation has caused a lot of trauma. Has caused us to lose interest in our culture and the opposite effect of what our ancestors had originally intended for us. To practice our culture and thrive as Indigenous people and be proud of who we are.”
And I’ve seen the change in a lot of our youth that they’ve opened up. We have some that are more quiet or reserved. And just to see those ones smile, and really see the impact and hear the impact when they talk to their parents about what they’ve experienced.”
MEET THE GUESTS
DYASHWA SYLVESTER. An enrolled member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and the Unit Director and CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Shinnecock Nation, an organization that offers programming that gives alternatives to Shinnecock youth and contributes to their overall wellbeing through fun, healthy, and culturally relevant activities. Dyashwa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Stony Brook University and has a background in finance. In her downtime, Dyashwa enjoys going to powwows, making regalia, traveling to new places, cooking, and spending time with her 3-year-old son, Liam. Dyashwa leads the organization with all the love she has for her tribe and is proud to say that she played a huge part in making sure Shinnecock children have a safe place to gather, amazing and unique opportunities, access to cultural education and the chance to learn about the difficult, yet important topics that affect their community.
JEREMY DENNIS. A contemporary fine art photographer and a tribal member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, NY. In his work, he explores Indigenous identity, culture, and assimilation. Jeremy has received renowned grants and awards, and holds an MFA from Pennsylvania State University, and a BA in Studio Art from Stony Brook University. He currently lives and works in Southampton, New York on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation.
JESSIE ADLER. Jessie Adler is an American documentary filmmaker driven by a desire to better understand the forces that determine our individual identities, collective experiences and abilities to connect to one another. Her video advocacy work has led her to collaborations with communities through North America, the Amazon Region, and the Mekong Region. She received her MFA in 2018 from the School of Visual Arts Social Documentary program. Her thesis film, The Boxers of Brule, tells the story of healing through sport, sisterhood and tradition within the Kul Wičasa Oyate of present day South Dakota.
Jeremy and Jessie have led two 100cameras programs together - one self-titled as NATVLens by the students themselves and the second in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Shinnecock Nation.