THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE RESERVATION

Transcription

1 THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE RESERVATION Presented by: LYNN ALAMILLA Honored Guests of the National Native American Housing Council, Inc. Legal Symposium 2018 Las Vegas, Nevada

2 In this Mini Series the following will be briefly discussed to inspire: Highlight exceptional work done regarding the revitalization and building of exterior projects that serve well and incorporate culture. Contrast thought of EXTERIOR v. INTERIOR culturally, socially & aesthetically and legally. Consider & question levels of consistency in honoring the role of women as it relates to roles, providing ways to ensure teachings, new lifestyles. Consider the demographical needs; specifically women-housing. Thought on support & non judgmental attitudes from our own Thought on connecting people & projects to further serve best

3 REFLECT ON ACHIEVEMENTS IN HOUSING: Extensive & ground breaking work Housing Representatives are doing! Impressive work & achievement Sustainable Communities Action & emphasis on restoration, revitalization & infrastructure meaningful ways that incorporate accessibility, cultural designs, exterior community resources & products. Each community must develop it s own path to sustainability Best Practices Guide and overview of 17 housing initiatives.

4 INTERIOR & EXTERIOR To recognize the role of motherhood, art & home is integral & affects every aspect of life, eventually. Achieved through consistent community exterior & individual interior in a manner that reflects the value & exercise of the daily living of our unique legal rights & responsibilities as Indian people. Examples: Unwritten Societal laws but new lifestyles discouraged traditional practices & roles which resulted in lack of desire, knowledge and respect for those equal and contributory roles.

5 WHY WOULD WE TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF INDIAN WOMEN AT A LEGAL CONFERENCE FOR TRIBAL HOUSING? ANSWER: INDEED, WE ARE TALENTED, EDUCATED & MANAGING THE BENEFIT & REWARD OUR MOTHERS & GRANDMOTHERS SACRAFICED & ENDURED. STILL, WE SHOULD HELP OUR WOMEN BUILD & UPHOLD THEIR CREATOR GIVEN TALENT & SKILL AS THEY MOLD CHILDREN & HOME. IN DOING SO, WE HELP CHILDREN WITNESS & DEVELOP THEIR OWN SELF WORTH & VALUE. CONSIDER HOW ACCESS TO INTERIOR DESIGN CAN FOSTER CULTURLLY, AESTHETICALLY & IN THE PROCESS: LEGALLY. THIS IS HOW WE LIVE LYNN ALAMILLA LEGAL RESEARCH CONSULTANT SPECIALIZING IN AMERICAN INDIAN LAW, FORMER CHIEF TRIBAL JUDGE, WRITER, WIFE, MOTHER, SISTER, AUNTY, DAUGHTER & DIY DOMESTIC ARTIST.

6 INSPIRATION FROM PAST

7 INSPIRATION: HELEN HARDIN SANTA CLARA PUEBLO

8 THE ROLE OF THE MOTHER The Crow people believe that they have three mothers. The first is the woman who gives birth to the child. The last is Mother Earth, who the people go back to when they die. And then the home, the lodge is our mother, it protects us as we are being raised, coming up in this world. - Cedric Black Eagle

9 THE ROLE OF WOMAN IS WATER, LIFE & EVERYTHING Tradition, ritual, tells us specific roles women who give their people pipe (Sioux White Buffalo Calf woman), prayer & thanks to 3 sisters, Corn, Beans & Squash (Iroquois, Oneida), Changing woman creation story (Navajo). As workers, farmed fields, built homes, instructed young tribes people how to live properly Introduction page 7 from A TO Z of American Indian Women by Liz Sonneborn

10 WHO ARE THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF THE RESERVATION? AKA: REZ DIVAS Military (high numbers) Tribal administrators, council members, casino workers, business owners, students All economic & educational levels, reservation & urban Quilters, Chefs, Designers, Fine Artists, Painters, Sculptors Highly Creative Need unified efforts, avenues & support

11 LAJUANDA WILLIAMS ROSEBUD SIOUX 25 YEARS AIRFORCE MOTHER OF 5 MISSION, SD NICOLASA ALAMILLA POTAWATOMI-CHIPPEWA NYC PARSONS GRADUATE PRODUCT DESIGNER

12 SUSAN PRENTICE OJIBWAY MN

13 PATRICIA MICHAELS My dresses tell a story

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15 HUMOR V. JUDGE

16 WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS? Whether long term or brand new housing personnel in efforts: Refrain from judgement-demographic gets it from everywhere else Understand the statistics & legal issues of women & how that plays into housing Domestic Violence, Meth, ICWA, multitude of issues. Initiative: Emphasis: Helping, Teaching, Upholding, Lifting, Alleviating awareness & willingness to incorporate projects or initiatives. create your own, catered to your needs, suggest, extend ideas.

17 A REAL HOUSEWIFE OF THE REZ NEEDS: Home office spaces because she telecommutes, is a tribal administrator or a business owner. Perhaps in law & politics on her way to Congress. Built in shelving for Indian law books, writing and art space for herself and her children. I don t need to brag, I don t mean to boast but NDN kids are like hot butter on your breakfast toast when it comes to art.

18 A REAL HOUSEWIFE OF THE REZ NEEDS: Sewing, Quilting Beading Regalia

19 A REAL HOUSEWIFE OF THE REZ NEEDS: Kitchen designs that highlight how we gather, cook as well as predominant health concern Diabetes/disposal/storage Safe / technological homes DV

20 INTERIOR BUILDS ACCENTUATES NATURAL SKILLS Designers Entrepreneurs Culinary artists Fine artists Interior Designers Studio & Film

21 HEALTH ORGANIZATIONAL TOOLS

22 HUNTING FISHING ORGANIZATION LIFESTYLE NEEDS

23 SAMPLE WORKING MILITARY MOM SOUTH DAKOTA

24 K I T C H E N - C U L T U R E - L A W

25 APPLYING NATIVE ART TO NON NATIVE SUBJECT MATTER

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27 UPDATE IT PERSONALIZE IT

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30 THE INTENT & GOAL OF CREATING SERVICE Direct to clients but incorporating self reliance of family, friends, community skills, sponsorships, team Sustainable, refurbished & recyclable furniture items, budget items or clean, gently used donations. Installing & Updating new wherever possible

31 WHO GETS A MAKEOVER? Information disseminated with help of Housing Office Drawing process if more than one interested party Proper release agreement signed/contractual (done in X amount of days, X amount of condition, agreed by all) etc. Before/After photo agreement for sponsorship purposes Optional exit interview

32 A HOME/APT. INTERIOR MAKEOVER Identifies important storage, flow & functionality needs (family input) Guiding principles of any action to improve is how this will rectify, build or uphold cultural value & learning opportunities Emphasis on creating a sisterhood, motherhood for collaboration & support of meaningful & hopeful lifestyle

33 WHERE INTERIOR REFLECTS LEGAL STANDING The future existence of the remaining Indian tribes in this country depends ultimately upon secure and permanent land bases, and the rights of self-determination necessary to preserve traditional customs and ways of life Guiding Principle of the Native American Rights Fund (NARF.ORG)

34 SAMPLE OF MY DIY PROJECTS

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46 IN CLOSING. The projects with the most impact are typically those that leverage most or all of these best practices simultaneously: thoughtful design and site planning, green building, innovative approaches, cultural and community engagement, and consideration for the generations to come

47 HOME MAKEOVERS We can do it together: We can do it on a budget We have natural talent We can coordinate family & local resources

48 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION & MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR YOUR DEDICATION & WORK IN TRIBAL HOUSING The Real Housewives of the Reservation Inc. LYNN ALAMILLA DIY DOMESTIC ARTIST Serving reservation & urban people (414) This is how we live