IllumiNative Invites Ramon Shiloh to Showcase His Art and Statement on Native American Citizenship

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MORE THAN A CENTURY 

NATIVE ARTIST PERSPECTIVES ON CITIZENSHIP 

RAMON SHILOH 

(Mvskoke, Cherokee, Filipino, African American)

Ramon Shiloh Teams with Award Winning Author Kara Briggs in Latest Book

 

On May 21, 2024, Kara Briggs received the “James Welch Prize for Indigenous Poetry.” Her poem, "Acknowledgment Two," will be published in her forthcoming book, “Rivers in My Veins,” by St. Julian Press.

A little background on Kara Briggs:

Kara, MPA, served as the Interim Vice President for Tribal Relations, Arts, and Cultures at The Evergreen State College in Washington State. With a background in public affairs, strategic planning, and journalism, she has worked with Tribes and organizations across the U.S., including consulting for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. She has served on the boards of the Native Journalists Association and the Center for Women & Democracy. A Sauk-Suaittle citizen, she is a breast cancer survivor, feminist, and environmental activist.

I am honored to have been chosen to illustrate the cover of this powerful book. I’d like to thank Phillip Hillaire for bringing us together on this project.

Keep your eyes peeled for the official launch date of our book, “Rivers in My Veins,” in September 2024.

Ramon Shiloh’s Album Cover and Article/Review For “Music These Days”

 

Check out my Album Cover for “Music These Days”. 

A new Band dropping their first album titled: “Big Wide States”.

Also, a wonderful Article Review by:

✨AMERICANA HIGHWAYS
“on the road collecting the stories of Americana music”
For more information about our album, read the review HERE

Artist Statement for Ms. Janes Restaurant

“How do you want to be remembered?” Shiloh asks. “I want to be remembered that I was loved, and that I had the opportunity to love back.” ~Bertha Jane (B.J.) Turnipseed

ARTIST STATEMENT

Bertha Jane Turnipseed, a proud and respected member of the Puyallup Nation, has dedicated her life to ensuring the survival and prosperity of her people. For decades, Bertha has tirelessly built the foundational structures necessary to uplift her family and community. She has pioneered infrastructures of commerce, fought for justice through the legal system, and crafted legislation aimed at securing a bright future for those she loves. BJ’s Bingo and Gaming, once just a business, has become a lifeline—an anchor of stability and opportunity that was once denied to her people.

Bertha stands as an honored matriarch, revered for her unwavering dedication to the well-being of her community. Through her tireless efforts, she has gifted stability and security, ensuring a higher quality of life for generations to come.

ART REPRESENTATION

In my mural, "Interconnected Heritage," I explore the timeless journey of commerce, tradition, and community through a tapestry of imagery and symbolism. At its center stands Ms. Jane, draped in a ceremonial blanket, her watchful gaze fixed upon the unfolding patterns of commerce. She embodies the legacy of generations, skillfully designing pathways of opportunity and abundance.

From the humble reed plucked from its riverside home to the intricately woven baskets loaded with tradition, each elemental design signifies the foundational pillars of trade and prosperity. The carved canoes navigate the waters, connecting community to community, sharing knowledge and resources along the way.

Integral to this narrative are the spirits of the land, represented by animals such as Salmon, Eagle, Bear, Owl, Otter, Turtle, Raven, Cougar, and Wolf, each embodying the paths and traditions passed down through generations. Their presence underscores the interconnectedness of all living beings and the vital role they play in the cycle of commerce and heritage.

As the animals traverse the canvas, they express the individuality and interconnectedness of each family member, highlighting the diverse paths that converge in a shared journey. Below them, the heritage baskets stand in sacred ceremony, honoring the traditions and foundations from which they originated while embracing the diversity of individual pathways.

"Interconnected Heritage" is a celebration of resilience, community, and the enduring spirit of connection that sustains us through generations. It invites viewers to reflect on the richness of our shared heritage and the importance of preserving traditions while embracing the ever-evolving landscape of commerce and culture.

As the artist behind this work, I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to breathe life into these stories and traditions on canvas. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to Bertha, whose wisdom has guided and enriched this journey. I am equally thankful to the Turnipseed relatives, whose remarkable histories have served as the foundation and inspiration for this mural. Additionally, I express my profound appreciation to the land itself, the sacred source from which these narratives spring forth.

This mural stands as a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and interconnectedness of the Turnipseed family of the Puyallup Nation, a testament to the enduring spirit and vibrant heritage of our community.

Mural honoring Bertha Jane Turnipseed (Puyallup Nation) at "BJ's Bingo & Gaming/“Ms. Janes Restaurant" in Fife Washington. Restaurant Opening Date: June 2024

©Paintings and Writings by Ramon Shiloh 

✨Medium: Acrylic on wood/2024

✨Storytelling Tale with Future Chefs✨

A Chef’s path is expansive. The responsibility and deep understanding of the importance of nutrition significantly impacts all communities in relationship to our environments. Some of the most overlooked and underserved peoples are children. Yet, proper health and nutrition at a young age will lay the foundation for the entirety of their lives and all connected to them.

Advocating for nutritious, sustainable choices through educating children about the origins and impacts of their food empowers them to make informed decisions. It encourages a positive relationship with food that extends beyond satisfying hunger. This holistic approach considers not only the nutritional value of food but also the cultural, environmental, and societal implications.

Recognizing the influence of corporate food practices on children’s diets and the need for responsible stewardship of food systems is crucial. Preserving traditional food practices, particularly those rooted in Indigenous knowledge, not only promotes physical health but also maintains cultural connections and respect for the environment. Passing down these practices helps instill a sense of responsibility for their own health and the health of the planet.

Within my approaching cookbook, the children’s section will host stories about the societal significance of varying dishes. The goal is to foster curiosity and appreciation for the narratives that speak to them, encouraging children to explore new flavors and expand their culinary practices.

Each recipe will not only represent delicious flavors, but also incorporate elements of education, cultural appreciation, and community throughout the cookbook to develop a deeper understanding of the connections between and through food.

Moreover, the cookbook will emphasize the importance of sustainable and ethical food practices, teaching children about where their food comes from in conjunction with the impact of their choices on the environment and society. Through engaging with informative content, the children's section will inspire young chefs to become advocates for food justice in their own communities.

This path of culinary storytelling not only teaches them valuable skills, but also nurtures creativity, cultural awareness, and appreciation for the rich tapestry of food traditions they can be proud of and continue forward. It is a wonderful way to make cooking a memorable and meaningful experience for cooks young and old, from all walks of life.

©Chef Ramon Shiloh/2024

An Afternoon with Esperanza Spalding & PRISMID at Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

 An Afternoon with Esperanza Spalding & PRISMID at Native Arts & Cultures Foundation

Curated and Written by Chef Ramon Shiloh

“A Black & Indigenous Futurisms Menu”

For our May 16th, 2024 event

CHEF/ARTIST STATEMENT:

I am part of an important movement, to shed light on an ever present conflict in the United States through food. Community has been disconnected through dissonance and corrupt ideologies, which upend healthy relationships of color, gender, and racial harmony.

I am part of a Community to create a Sacred Space for educators, artists, horticulturists, musicians, and cultural workers. The aim is to evaluate and heal those in dire need of interventionist care and direction.

Im with PRISMID SANCTUARY.

Co-founded by Esperanza Spalding and Mick Rose.

I’d like to thank my foraging mentor @cowlitzgatherer for providing some of the best ingredients for this event and in May. Your wisdom and knowledge of invasive and native (plant) species, are a blessing.

Be on the look out for another post related to our foraged species for this event, and in May.

Photos by: @bert_franks and me

©Ramon Shiloh/2024

We won the 2024 “FRANCES FULLER VICTOR AWARD FOR GENERAL NONFICTION Oregon Book Award. Sponsored by “Literary Arts”

 I am so grateful to write this little note about Josephine Woolington.

On Monday April 8th our book, “Where We Call Home: Lands, Seas, and Skies of the Pacific Northwest”, took the “FRANCES FULLER VICTOR AWARD FOR GENERAL NONFICTION”. The 2024 Oregon Book Award Ceremony was sponsored by “Literary Arts” at “Portland Center Stage at The Armory”.

Being present for this award ceremony was like winning an Oscar. But sweeter.

Josephine’s journey has led her to explore the natural histories of ten native species in the Pacific Northwest; searching for answers about how to preserve, improve, and heal from the dilemmas we face in our ecosystems. She logged thousands of hours of long hikes, canoe routes, driving excursions and more in order to get environmental answers from the sources themselves. She listened and has now aided in preserving the voices of plants, animals, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and artists.

She is the most compassionate, thorough, eclectic soul sister I’ve ever met. I have had the opportunity to partner and pen my artwork to the cover, spot illustrations, and provide an epitaph to our book. What an honor.

These experiences have enhanced my understanding of how I view the world today. From a Chef’s perspective I have always had a delicate relationship with plant life. I know what benefits they gift when healing myself and my community, one plate at a time. Without education, interventionist care, and cultivation, these plants will go extinct and we will only be reliant on for-profit consumer agriculture structures, that keep our land and body unhealthy.

What Josephine taught me, through our book, is to pay attention to the world around us. As we should.

Thank you for inviting me on this journey with you!

Congratulations Josephine Woolington!!

My Soul Sister for life!