Editor’s Note: This Voices series is an opportunity to learn more about the creators and changemakers in Alabama who are using their talents to make a difference in their community. Today’s Q&A is with Tori Nicole, an indigenous artist based in Montgomery, and co-founder of Alabama Indigenous Coalition. Follow Tori to see more of her art on Instagram.
Since this month is Native American Heritage Month, and we know Native American history is not well taught in Alabama, what’s something about indigenous history, people, and/or culture that you think people don’t know enough about but wish they did?
There are so many things I wish people knew about the Indigenous culture but maybe the biggest thing for me would be the aftermath of removal and assimilation. Many of us lost contact with our relatives, clans, clothing, language, religion, basically the entirety of our original way of life; the history of Native Americans is so much more complex than I can sum into words. Because of the harsh treatments you would receive simply by being native many of our ancestors pretended to be someone else entirely, they cut ties with their identity just for survival.
For example some would pass as white, some would claim to be black, some had no choice because of the One Drop Rule. If you had any Black ancestry you were not considered to be Native American in most locations. In some cases if you did not relocate to a reservation you would not be considered to be Native American by government standards, and there were many natives who did not want to conform to that ideology. No matter where our ancestors resided, whether it was on a reservation or off of a reservation, that did not determine their ancestry.
How did you get into art, and what do you want people to walk away with when they see your pieces?
My very first memory actually involves art. I was in preschool painting a yellow house with a red roof so I truly cannot remember life without art. Both of my parents were artists and before that their parents were artists so I would say it is a common trait in my family to not only love art but to also do it. When people see my artwork, I want them to have an urge to know more about the subject within the painting. I want my artwork to educate but I also want it to create a sense of balance.
Is there a favorite piece that you have, and if so, can you share what it means to you?
I would probably say my favorite painting is the painting I did of my Grandmother, Annie Lou. It’s hard to sum up what my grandmother means to me, the way I grew up was very old school and southern so she was very involved in my upbringing. I was with my grandmother every day after school and every day during summer. The unconditional love that I felt from her is pretty unmatched and I vividly remember her letting me express myself over the years and not trying to change who I was, which is huge when you are an artist.
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One of my favorite examples of what I mean is actually from when I was about 3 years old, I used to make mud pies in her front yard, but everywhere else I would go if anyone was watching me, they hated the fact that I would play in the mud, but not grandma. She would actually provide me with a cup of water, and I would take hundreds of little rocks and make all kinds of designs on the top of my “cake” or “pie” and she would just sit on the porch and watch me and every now and then I would look up at her and she would smile down at me and say, “that’s pretty”. So I would definitely say that painting is my favorite, Annie definitely has the other half of my heart.
How does your art intersect with the work you’re doing with the Alabama Indigenous Coalition?
My work definitely intersects with AIC! I do a lot of paintings that tell the story of Native American history. It is hard to sum up how without talking about specific pieces. Usually during art shows I am able to hold conversations to entail a deeper discussion about the culture even if it is on a tribe or figure that is not necessarily from my tribe.
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What else has Alabama Indigenous Coalition been up to, and how can people support that work?
We have been regrouping and discussing different ways to keep the organization going but also reach new audiences so that we can continue to spread what we know but also so that we are able to include more people. You can support our work by looking out for our events both in person and online.
Follow Alabama Indigenous Coalition on Facebook.
What would you say to other young people who are interested in getting more involved in advocating for their community?
I would say to just go for it. Sometimes if an idea or platform does not exist, that may mean that you were the person called to do it! You could create a positive ripple effect and plant the seed for change.
Tori Nicole otherwise known as, “Bird”, is a local artist and activist from central Alabama currently creating works of art inspired by culture, education, human consciousness, and balance. Inspired by her parent’s paintings, Tori’s passion for art began at an early age. During high school she began to participate in not only local, but nationwide contests and shows. In 2011 she went on to win a national gold medal for the Scholastic Art Competition in which her artwork was displayed in Carnegie Hall for 2 years, followed by an additional selection for the piece to be displayed in the Lyndon B. Johnson Museum. She then went on to pursue a degree in Psychology and Art at Huntingdon College and during her stay she earned the title of Best Oil Painting during her Sophomore Year, and participated in a number of student art shows. After earning a BA in both Psychology and Art, not long after graduation, Tori was offered a paid internship to learn the art of tattooing. During her apprenticeship, through travel and study she discovered her love of live painting. Since her discovery, she has been chosen to live paint for a number of events, including Hulaween, Sonic Bloom, Sound Haven and local art shows across the River Region. She also holds the title of Vice President and Co-founder for the Alabama Indigenous Coalition. Through this organization, Tori and board members alike trail blaze misconceptions of the indigenous culture while pushing for truthful education on native peoples throughout the state of Alabama.
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This is great!!! Thank you Tori!