A year-long public art exhibit highlighting Indigenous artists whose ecological knowledge stewards the natural resources of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond.
Join us as we celebrate artist Nani Chacon Grand Mural Opening located at the Jackson Hole History Museum on Monday, October 28th at 11:30pm (remarks at noon). See Nani’s depiction of the Shoshone Language (Newe Daygwap) which is essential to Sosoree Newe (Shoshone Peoples) and their preservation of life and culture.
Damma Newadaygwap Gay Nasoowazeet; Never Forget Our Language
This mural serves as a conceptual billboard, reclaiming space for the Shoshone people, whose ancestors called this region home. By incorporating Shoshone language, the mural connects the land, culture, and people, emphasizing their deep-rooted relationship. This public display is a powerful act of language preservation for the Eastern Shoshone community.
The number of Eastern Shoshone language speakers continues to decrease dramatically. This mural illuminates the challenges of developing a written language for people who have historically relied on oral traditions. It acknowledges the colonial violence of forced English language learning and the delicate balance of working with community members to create a space for meaningful dialogue about language preservation. As the Eastern Shoshone community faces a critical juncture in its linguistic history, this mural serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring and revitalizing its ancestral language.
Read more about our LandSignals artists HERE.
Read full October Event Press Release HERE.
Artist Nani Chacon