Exoticization in Collecting Institutions

3rd Floor Conference Room,Coral Gables FL 33146

26 April, 2022

Description

Confronting the Façade of Representation in Colonial Knowledge Systems and Creating Tactics for Indigenous Agency Presented by Durante Blais-Billie, Tribal Member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida Assistant Director of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum Durante Blais-Billie is a Two-Spirit member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Durante holds an M.A. in art history and management from the University of St. Andrews and has formerly served their tribe as the assistant director of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. They have also acted as a cultural representative and ambassador for their community under the title Miss Florida Seminole. Durante's work focuses on reclaiming Indigenous knowledge systems through Native-led education with the central mission of de-colonial healing. They are dedicated to exploring the intersections of Seminole identity, Indigenous knowledge, and Seminole visual culture. Durante utilizes their lived experience and the knowledge gifted to them by their community to negotiate what ‘art history’ truly looks like for their people. They are also an advocate for cultural continuation through inter-generational organization and serve as a member of the independent youth council, Future Indigenous Leaders of South Florida.