“Indigenous Futurism is a phrase first explored by critic and writer Grace Dillon (Bay Mills/Garden River Ojibwe) in her 2003 book, “Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction.” It describes the creation and visualization of possible futures for Indigenous people. As a movement, it spans Indigenous visual arts, film, and music. Dillon’s theory of Indigenous Futurism is loosely inspired by Afrofuturism, which interweaves traditional knowledge and culture with futuristic ideas and setting.” (Manuela Well-Off-Man, page 13)
On the cover of the publication entitled “Indigenous Futurism: Transcending Past/Present/Future,” is a close-up image of the video still by Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo.) Ortiz speaks of his screenplay as “not just a story of persecution and revolt, but also a story of resilience—one that seems to be more critical than ever in today’s political and cultural climate.” (page 99)
Indigenous Futurism also offers a way to heal from the traumas of the past and present--the post-apocalyptic narratives depicted in some of the artworks are often reality for Indigenous communities worldwide.
Image: Front cover with an image by Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo), “Venutian Soldiers,” 2020, installation (dimension variable,) two mixed media outfits (life size), video, collection of the artist, photography by Kamden Storm.
Indigenous futurisms : transcending past/present/future Author / Creator Museum of Contemporary Native Arts Santa Fe, NM : IAIA Museum of Contemporary Indian Arts, 2020 175 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), portraits ; 27 cm English HOLLIS number: 99156451074203941
