Quannah Chasinghorse gave a speech to a packed room in the First Alaskans Institute Elders and Youth Conference in Anchorage on Tuesday. Chasinghorse, an internationally-recognized fashion model and an Indigenous rights and climate activist, spoke about the healing power of cultural traditions, family connections and community celebrations.
“Coming to this place and sharing my experience a part of everyone is the reason I have the courage to do my job,” she said in her 40-minute keynote speech.
Chasinghorse who claims her roots as coming from the Han Gwich’in tribe of Eagle Village, Alaska, and the Sicangu/Oglala Lakota Tribes from South Dakota, lives in Los Angeles. When she was in Anchorage the actress also welcomed many admirers and well-wishers. She posed for pictures, hugging the crowd, and signing autographs after all who was interested been able to get in. When the event was finished it was reported that the Daily News sat down with Chasinghorse to discuss the way this event was different from other occasions in her career and the messages she is carrying as she is working outside Alaska.
The interview was edited to increase clarity and length.
Anchorage Daily NewsAre feeling exhausted from two hours of (talking and chatting)?
Chasinghorse A bit. In reality, I think that even though there is an overwhelming amount of interaction, and I’m the kind of person who is easily overwhelmed I also keep reminding my self of the fact that … every one of these people are being here with good intentions and love and (are) looking forward to seeing me. So I’m going to embrace it … I think it’s worthwhile because I’m able to get a lot from it. Most likely, more than what people get from it.
ADNI’m interested in knowing why the appearance of an event like this can be distinct from the appearances elsewhere.
ChasinghorseReally I’m just trying to live my life different, as everyone is aware. Everyone gets it. Everyone comes together to celebrate one another. When I go out to various functions for work, I feel as if I need to explain many things. People ask me a lot of questions. It’s a lot of education and honestly. The majority of my work is to educate people about our people, our culture and the ways we live our lives. These events, in reality, are much more strenuous and tiring than these occasions.
But (here) I have lots of interactions with people, and social interactions. I have all these people who want to meet me. You’d think I’d become exhausted from it, but I am more tired when I need to be at a table with people who don’t get it or don’t or don’t understand and I have to explain. I’m like an educator for a lot of all the time … I’m simply sharing my information and trying to make people see who we really are and not only stereotypes about Native American people or Alaska Native people. A bit like taking back the image of Native Americans.
ADNPart in what you discussed on stage was the notion that Indigenous people are in pain and traumatized, and how you can counter this by some means. Could you share a bit more about your experience with the issue and what you’ve tried to accomplish?
ChasinghorseI believe it’s as easy as taking on cultural appropriation and then shifting away from it. As model, I work with brands every day. However, they might not have the best sustainability ones, however, I can get them to a higher level. They might be culturally appropriating, but I bring them to that point where I say, “Hey, you’re doing something wrong. Let’s make it right and be better and work on the same level with Native individuals.” I believe that it’s really just about education. I’m always grateful for this chance, as those outside our communities do not understand. It’s just as easy as showing the world that they are our (works of) artwork and images. That’s the part we’ve reclaimed.
Another aspect is the way film, the industries and the media have shown Native people as is these harmful stereotypical images. That we’re traumatized. The idea that we’re primitive. We’re crazy. We’re like this or this. We’re actually an incredibly strong group of people, with lots of joy, love, and joy as well as compassion and passion towards each other…
This TV show “Reservation dogs” is an excellent illustration of how we can reclaim our image and shattering those stereotypes, and showing the world that yes we have difficulties. This is the reality for Indigenous people. We’re just extremely happy. We’re funny. We’re happy …There’s plenty of beauty in a community which is what we’ve been doing to restore.
(Chasinghorse played in a single Episode from Reservation Dogs. )
ADNWhen your eyes are on some of these youngsters (at Elders and Youth Conference) Some are younger than you are have to wait in line to get pictures with you What do you think of when you look at them?
ChasinghorseOh my god I am so happy and elated, simply because of the fact that, among these young people, many of them feel lonely. I’ve had many of them approach me to say they thought that my words or my words were a hit with them. In addition, they said that they’re reconnecting to their roots and that I helped them to reconnect. I encourage them to find out more (and) be present to their community. I’ve heard people tell me their healing journeys and how what I’ve spoken about, and my way of showing my support for the people around me has helped them realize that they’re not on their own We’re all in this with each other …
It’s wonderful to be back in my community, and seeing the young girls who have painted their marks on their faces or perhaps are tattooed and sharing with me that I was the one who inspired them. They are reclaiming their culture and finding freedom from it is a powerful thing.
The story first appeared in Anchorage Daily News and is published here with permission.
