Much of today's conversation revolves around the gold rush, and our community doesn't know about the ancient Native American society of people who lived here long before the coming of the pioneers and settlers.

Our deepest hope is to bring about awareness of local historic and current issues through the medium of art. A successful project will bring together the community to reflect on the future, navigating a collective conversation. This is not a simple journey, artists were asked to engage in deep listening to the stories and history shared with them by the Tribal Members, Tribal Council and Nisenan Elders.

Together each artist collaborated individually with Tribal Members on their art pieces to create respectful and reflective works. Creating artworks that reflect the Nisenan people, Culture, and history is another way to preserve and bring visibility to the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. It is difficult to openly talk about the near genocide and erasure of the Nisenan and the destruction of this land. Let us bring these conversations to light utilizing art as the conduit.

The power of art is that it can be a tool for informing and for social change because it can provide a window into history and difficult experiences that would be hard to access without the medium of art. Art can act as a metaphor to relate complex topics in a deeply poignant and impactful way. We hope that this project serves to bring awareness to our community and the greater public, as well as, inspire settlers on any land to learn about and support the Indigenous peoples of the land they are occupying.

Thank you, to the many hands that supported in making this vision possible.