Indigenous Narratives at the IAC

Troy’s International Arts Center (IAC) held the second installment of the Indigenous Narratives Discussions last Thursday. This series is in collaboration with the Mellon Foundation grant in the College of Arts and Humanities.  

The session featured Kelly Three Hawks Spivey from Jacksonville, Alabama, who is a member of the Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama and the owner of Creek Life Creations. Students, faculty and members of the public joined Spivey, an artist specializing in bone carving, pipe making and leather work, to talk about his creative process and art in terms of community.  

“I can only hope that [my art] touches someone, draws out someone’s creativity,” Spivey said. 

The session began with an engaging discussion that allowed audience members to ask questions about tribal life, language and Indigenous history in Alabama. Spivey encouraged the audience to seek inspiring creative processes and examine their personal cultural influences in their own work. 

A hands-on feather tying workshop followed the discussion. While participants crafted their piece, Spivey continued with an educational lecture on sacred birds and appropriate powwow behavior as well as the meaning of art in his personal philosophy.  

The event closed with Spivey's notes on continuing to personalize the feathers and an invitation to visit upcoming powwows. The discussion series is organized by Dr. Shari Hoppin, an associate professor in the Hall School of Journalism and Communication.  

Hoppin is teaching a class on Indigenous narratives this semester.  

“It’s about helping the students connect with living Alabama culture, with voices that have been marginalized,” Hoppin said. 

Several of Hoppin’s students were in attendance.  

“It’s really interesting to see the native people’s perspective on how they approach living and community and just the great care and love they have for each other,” said Jameson Speece, a junior communications major from Montgomery, Alabama. “It’s something that I really respect and really want to learn from.” 

The final installment of the Indigenous Narratives discussions will be on Tuesday, March 31 at 11 a.m. in the IAC. Students, faculty and community members are encouraged to attend the session, which will feature Dr. Robert Pullen, Mvskoke Maker of Medicine.