Gabby Severson is a multi-disciplinary artist who is a part of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, specifically from the Kalapuya and Rogue River bands. Severson recently graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Fine Arts. Her education and development in her art making process has been a large inspiration in reconnecting with her heritage.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE GROWING UP INDIGENOUS?
Growing up, I feel like I wasn’t in touch. I mean, when I was younger, yes. But then I just kind of stopped hanging out with my aunts, and I only really saw them on holidays, like my birthday or something. So even though they don’t even live that far, I just wasn’t actively trying to be a part of that. So I was just like “I’m white” Even though I’m not.
Growing up, I feel like I wasn’t in touch. I mean, when I was younger, yes. But then I just kind of stopped hanging out with my aunts, and I only really saw them on holidays, like my birthday or something. So even though they don’t even live that far, I just wasn’t actively trying to be a part of that. So I was just like “I’m white” Even though I’m not.
DID YOU START CONNECTING WITH THAT SIDE WHEN YOU CAME HERE?
I got a scholarship from my tribe for school, like last year or two years ago.. And they invited me to come to their annual powwow, and I hadn’t gone through that powwow in years… [but I went and] recognized everything from when I was a kid... I saw so many family members I haven’t seen in years… But after that I was like “damn, I really need to reconnect with this part of myself because it’s like there’s so much there that’s like needs to be uncovered and it hasn’t. So then the next summer, I actually made efforts to see my cousins. My cousin makes beaded earrings, and that’s what [the self portrait] piece is inspired… And then last summer I went to powwow and I went to Culture Camp and I relearned all of these practices, and it actually stuck with me because I think I was ready to absorb that, like I was at a point where I was ready to reconnect.
I got a scholarship from my tribe for school, like last year or two years ago.. And they invited me to come to their annual powwow, and I hadn’t gone through that powwow in years… [but I went and] recognized everything from when I was a kid... I saw so many family members I haven’t seen in years… But after that I was like “damn, I really need to reconnect with this part of myself because it’s like there’s so much there that’s like needs to be uncovered and it hasn’t. So then the next summer, I actually made efforts to see my cousins. My cousin makes beaded earrings, and that’s what [the self portrait] piece is inspired… And then last summer I went to powwow and I went to Culture Camp and I relearned all of these practices, and it actually stuck with me because I think I was ready to absorb that, like I was at a point where I was ready to reconnect.
WHAT WAS IT AT SCHOOL AFTER RECONNECTING?
I was in this class, called Searching For Your Soul. And I was like “this is some bullshit.” but I was also like “this is going to be fun because I’m trying to search for my soul.” And I wrote my first paper on Australia because [the professor] was like “write something about something”... And I wrote about how amazing my experience was in Australia… [and] she gave me a D. She gave me a fucking D. On a personal reflection. Which is never happened… I just wanted to know why? She was like, “you didn’t give me enough realness.”… I think what she was wanting was like some trauma or something that was an issue that we had, or like something, she wanted us to work through or our shit. [During our] third or fourth class we had to submit our papers and some [girl] in the class read her paper aloud and was like “I’m native but I’m also half white”... And then after class, I remember we went into the Lang courtyard [connected, and decied to go to the IPD powwow together]. that day was so fun. We went and shared bond... it’s that kinship that I was searching for forever…then we went to Relative Arts the first time [and met] Leland. And then after that we were like “wait, we should make a club.” And then we made a club. And then we met Sariah and Luke, our club advisors. I’ve met so many people and now I’m like, okay! My work has been dealing a lot with me, struggling with my identity, but I don’t think it’s touched on how helpful this year has been in New York, because I’ve never been surrounded by this many indigenous people in my whole life. So it’s like everyone be affirming each other and it feels so nice and beautiful.
I was in this class, called Searching For Your Soul. And I was like “this is some bullshit.” but I was also like “this is going to be fun because I’m trying to search for my soul.” And I wrote my first paper on Australia because [the professor] was like “write something about something”... And I wrote about how amazing my experience was in Australia… [and] she gave me a D. She gave me a fucking D. On a personal reflection. Which is never happened… I just wanted to know why? She was like, “you didn’t give me enough realness.”… I think what she was wanting was like some trauma or something that was an issue that we had, or like something, she wanted us to work through or our shit. [During our] third or fourth class we had to submit our papers and some [girl] in the class read her paper aloud and was like “I’m native but I’m also half white”... And then after class, I remember we went into the Lang courtyard [connected, and decied to go to the IPD powwow together]. that day was so fun. We went and shared bond... it’s that kinship that I was searching for forever…then we went to Relative Arts the first time [and met] Leland. And then after that we were like “wait, we should make a club.” And then we made a club. And then we met Sariah and Luke, our club advisors. I’ve met so many people and now I’m like, okay! My work has been dealing a lot with me, struggling with my identity, but I don’t think it’s touched on how helpful this year has been in New York, because I’ve never been surrounded by this many indigenous people in my whole life. So it’s like everyone be affirming each other and it feels so nice and beautiful.
DO YOU THINK THAT WAS KIND OF THIS ENVIRONMENT WOULD ONLY BE POSSIBLE IN NYC?
I feel like there’s some kind of outreach people have to take to be able to find people here, which I feel like it’s different from other places. But I also think it’s possible in other places. But it’s just been so different here from what I feel. And I’m excited to go to Oregon and like a goal of mine is to actually go and reconnect with my family and community and actually like feel that bond.
I feel like there’s some kind of outreach people have to take to be able to find people here, which I feel like it’s different from other places. But I also think it’s possible in other places. But it’s just been so different here from what I feel. And I’m excited to go to Oregon and like a goal of mine is to actually go and reconnect with my family and community and actually like feel that bond.
WHAT KIND OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LIVING IN NYC?
I feel like my advice would be. You have to be like receptive to it… I wasn’t searching for it all the other years I was here until I was like “wait, I kind of want to start, like reconnecting.” And then all of a sudden it all just happened so fast… Go to Relative Arts. But also… I think it takes time. But also it didn’t take any time. Like once it happened, it was because [I looked for it].
I feel like my advice would be. You have to be like receptive to it… I wasn’t searching for it all the other years I was here until I was like “wait, I kind of want to start, like reconnecting.” And then all of a sudden it all just happened so fast… Go to Relative Arts. But also… I think it takes time. But also it didn’t take any time. Like once it happened, it was because [I looked for it].
