Evelyn Lozano, KITANEMUK-TEJON INDIAN TRIBE, YAQUI, USA

As a Native American, I am colonized. I’m on an amazing journey learning about my culture—some of which I was familiar with before but now understand more fully, and more that is new to me. I’m very proud that in 2012, after a years-long struggle, the Tejon Indian Tribe of California (which currently consists of the Kitanemuk Indigenous people) became one of the 567 federally recognized tribes. This entitles the tribe to receive federal funding for much needed social services. I seek out other Indigenous people, like some of the Elders in my family and other knowledgeable people that happen to come my way, to listen to their stories about traditional foods, arts and anything else they would like to share. I work in many mediums, including textiles, paint and photography. My process for photography is simply to be ready. You never know what you will see, and what you never want to forget!