Persistence of Vision

Excerpts from a unique fashion show
especially commissioned for the
40th Anniversary Celebration of the
United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc. (2009).

Concept

Artifacts.  Images.  Imagination.
A journey beyond time.
Cherished stories and songs re-told beneath the moon.
A society of clans.

A Great-Grandmother

Great-Grandma said:  "Here, take these:
These songs, this medicine, this way of life and love."

And beneath a moon like this
You'll look across the fire --
At friends and family -- 
And you'll understand
How easy it is to hear the rhythm
And dance.

Grandma's favorite dance
Is the Chicken Dance
She makes it look so easy
Hopping around on one foot
In balance with her partner

They say you look a lot like Grandma did
In her youth --
She was born in wartime
Grew up in the swamps
And lived her entire life --
105 Summers --
Without having, once, to step foot
On the White Man's Road

PERSISTENCE OF VISION

A Great Grandfather

Grandpa would go hunting
Before the ceremonies began
Singing songs to find the herbs
Singing songs to hunt the deer
Singing songs of happiness
Happiest when flipping the ball
High up at the goal
During the stickball games

PERSISTENCE OF VISION

A Great Mother, as a toddler

She was raised by her grandparents.
And my friends are always shocked,
When she starts up long and detailed conversations
In the Miccosukee language.
She talks like an old lady.
And she's only 6.  Or 5.  Or 4?
Her favorite word is:  Hapooshekaaye,
It means "Mint."
Grandma taught her how to throw it in
With certain meals:
To jazz it up.

PERSISTENCE OF VISION

A Great Assignment

So now we need you
To speak on our behalf.
You will take our message
Beyond the horizon.
You will have to pick up the pen,
And speak foreign tongues.
You will have to tread rough paths,
That shimmer in the heat.

PERSISTENCE OF VISION

A Great Daughter, she is

"I'm so glad to have her back.
After High School she traveled the world.
Can you believe she actually went to Indian? --
A place called Varanasi --
to spend time with orphans there.
Helping out, teaching, bringing supplies.
She's got some kinda heart, huh?"

Her favorite metaphor is the River.
She grew up here,
In a River of Grass.
She comes from rivers of generations and culture and blood,
That flow across the land, and through time.
Her favorite metaphor is the River.

Her first documentary, she says,
Will be about Patchwork.
What is the meaning of Patchwork? -- she wonders.
It's a cultural artifact
That began as appliqué.
With color, and shape, and texture,
It evolves throughout the years.
And her anger stems from love.
She's only concerned with that authentic Patchwork,
None of that bogus stuff.

PERSISTENCE OF VISION

PERSISTENCE OF VISION is both a Poem as well as the Concept for a Fashion Show.

The Fashion Show was commissioned by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and almost all of the garments were designed by Miccosukee Artist Renée Manyari.

The occasion for this special event was the 40th Anniversary of the United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) -- an alliance of indigenous sovereignties that was formed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida; the Seminole Tribe of Florida; the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians; and the Eastern Band of Cherokees.  The founding tribes each had the honor of hosting a special event and this was the Miccosukee Night main event.  It was a high honor to assist in this production.

Here's some more information on the origins of the USET:
http://www.usetinc.org/about-uset/history/ (LINK)