Ruth Andrews began her artistic career as an an experimental filmmaker in Chicago in 1974. She began painting murals in Michigan in the late 70s. She always invites community members to paint with her, thus ensuring the community truly owns and understands the mural. Ruth loves theatre and will be producing her operetta, Nixie Out of the Water, this summer. @ruth_andrews or contact at rutabegus@gmail.com.
Respect and collaboration can be surprisingly complicated and time-consuming. A case in point is the Jones Family mural in Marcellus, MI. In the fall of 2023, I accepted a commission to redo the mural that depicted a family story, including “Chief Pokamon” wearing buckskin and holding a spear.
The original grain tower mural put up in 1977.
I researched the story, concerned that the name of the chief might have become confused with the Japanese Pokémon game. A friend recommended I consult with Julie Dye, the fifth great-granddaughter of Leopold Pokagon and a Chair of the Pokagon Outreach Representation Council. Dye explained why representation by non-tribal members without consulting the tribe is hurtful. She put me in touch with Kyle Mallott, Tribal Historian.
Julie Dye, my friend and Chair of the Tribal Representations Board.
Mallott concluded there was no Chief Pokamon, and that Indians in the 1840s wore cloth rather than buckskin, and they used rifles rather than spears. Further, the Tribal Council asked that the Pokagon Tribe not be portrayed on the mural.
In December, I showed the Jones Family a new design that included their family story but instead of the Indian Chief, used clan signs and featured birds, animals and fish important to the tribe. I did my best to explain why it was important to make these changes, but the Joneses were clearly disappointed. The original mural featuring the Indian Chief had stood for almost fifty years welcoming folks into town. The town collectively thought of this figure as their Indian.
Madam Chair of the Pokagon Potawatomi, Rebecca Richards (right), with Kay and Cordell Jones, who commissioned the mural at the dedication ceremony.
In March, Julie Dye and Kyle Mallott met face to face with the Jones family. The Pokagons spoke eloquently and it made a huge difference to have the words coming from them rather than me. The Jones family immediately acquiesced. They said they no longer wanted the mural to depict their family story, rather they would like it to be about the Pokagon Tribe. I said, in that case, the Pokagons should design the mural.
I received a design from tribal artist Justin Johnson, a peaceful landscape in which Indian figures are dwarfed by birch and ash trees. Clan signs of eagle, black bear, turtle, sturgeon and thunder are included. There is sufficient room for my own creativity. The lessons we shared about respect, collaboration and representation are vital for making public art as well as just getting along with our neighbors.
The tribal colors are represented by ribbons around the top of the silo. Five clan signs are included. This is Thunder Clan. Sketch by Pokagon tribal artist Justin Johnson. #jbirdillustrations/
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