Visualizing Animal Medicine: Illustrations and Stories
Publication information:
Abstract
Performance: The purpose of this performance is to give visual life to the visions and spiritual experiences of both the presenter and the presenter’s informants in their dissertation research on Animal Medicine practices in Native American and Latine spirituality. The performance will consist of five stories told in reference to five illustrations corresponding to each story. This performance will be treated as a sacred ceremony, and thus the stories being told will be accompanied by traditional drumming. Illustrations are created by the presenter and stories of informants are shared with enthusiastic permission.
Presenter Biography
Stefan Ray Sanchez is a Latine Indigenous graduate student in the Department of Religion at Rice University. Their research focuses on North American and Latine diasporic spirituality, with particular emphasis on relationship to nature, multiple spiritual and cultural belonging, and identity formation.
Delores (Lola) Mondragón is a Chickasaw Chicana activist, scholar, and grandmother. She is the drum-keeper of Iposi (grandmother in Chickasaw) a women’s, veteran, and Two-Spirit medicine drum. Lola is a published author and community organizer that advocates for Native and Indigenous peoples. As a military woman veteran, she writes and brings visibility to causes in her community including contextualization of de/colonization and militarization, MMIWG2S, and continued forms of contemporary genocide. She enjoys participating and highlighting rematriation practices, resiliency in community ceremonies, and supporting pride in identity re-remembering.