During Indigenous Peoples Month, Motif Magazine wishes to acknowledge its operations based on the sacred and ancestral lands of the Nahaganseck People (Narragansett Indian Tribe), the Indigenous People of Rhode Island. The Narragansett have long been the traditional custodians of this land, upholding their commitment to traditional practices in land stewardship. We express our honor, […]
“Hello? I just had a missed call from this number.” Shaena Soares calls me from her car. She just started driving for Uber. “I thought I had something to do today, let me pull over.” Soares apologizes and says her brain is scattered. “I’ve got five kids, two sets of twins and one in the […]
Tia-Alexi Roberts, an enrolled member of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, is a multi-talented individual who actively promotes Indigenous culture. Holding the title of Miss New Hampshire Sweetheart 2023, she uses various platforms such as pageantry, podcasting, and her employment with Cultural Survival and Native Pride Productions to shine a light on Indigenous arts, culture, and […]
It’s a well-known fact that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country – an hour and you’ll find that you’ve driven across the whole state (okay, let’s be honest, an hour and a half with the potholes and traffic). You might think you know everybody here – somebody’s cousin is somebody’s grandpa’s neighbor, […]
Back in July, through a weird chain of events, I ended up at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. There were exhibits with glittering crystals, massive dinosaur skeletons, and the conservation of native species, including tanks with neon frogs and a sleeping ferret. The one that captivated my attention the most […]
The Tomaquag Museum in Exeter, Rhode Island is an organization that seeks to educate everyone of the Indigenous cultures of the Dawnland (southern New England). They seek to help people understand the impact of colonization, to reconcile the past, and to empower future generations by sharing their values and emphasizing traditional ethics, morals, and philosophy. […]
As the second most densely populated state in America, it’s hard for anywhere in Rhode Island to be “in the middle of nowhere.” But I’ll be damned if Sly Fox Den Too doesn’t get close. Down Route 2, out in Narragansett country — past farmlands, timberlands and swamplands — sits the unassuming red restaurant. ‘Round […]
Thomas Fantasia speaks articulately, then cuts himself off. Modest, respectful, cautious. He interrupts himself to emphasize: he’s still learning. “There’s so much more I have to learn about our traditional dances and songs,” says Fantasia. “I’m only speaking on my experience. I don’t speak for other communities that may have other understandings… I share from […]
Immersing myself in a good story is a favorite pastime of mine. It can also be a great way to shift perspectives and see the world from someone else’s eyes. For Native American Heritage Month, I am happy to share some wonderful books by Native authors. Storytelling is and has been an important practice in […]
For years, humanity has heavily relied on the use of fossil fuels; in fact, 81 percent of the total energy used in the U.S. is extracted from oil, coal, and natural gas (National Geographic). This energy is used to heat and provide electricity for homes, businesses, cars, and factories. Unfortunately, the excessive use of Earth’s […]