Yaya – The Divine and Indigenous
Preferred Name
Yaya
Legal Name
Ryann
Contact Email
ryann.esteban@g.kpbsd.org
Age
18
Gender Expression
She\Her
Which student are you?
High School Student (US Only)
Name of School
Port Graham School
Grade / Year in School
12th Grade
Location (City, State/Province, Country)
Port Graham, Alaska, United States
If you identify with an ethnicity or culture(s), which one or ones do you identify with?
Alaskan Native, (Suqpiaq, Aleut), Cuban American
What is the name of your legal guardian/parent (if under 18)?
Please provide contact information for your legal guardian/parent (if under 18)
What are your social media accounts (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook)?
Instagram: brats._.finsta
Please select type of project you are entering
Visual Art
What is the title of your project?
The Divine and Indigenous
Please tell us about your submission (maximum 600 words)
"The Divine and Indigenous" displays an Indigenous woman with no facial features. Her lack of face replaces the many woman who were kidnapped, raped, and lost their lives. The only identity she holds in her face is the tattoo on her chin that marks her heritage, and her lips covered with a red handprint that screams awareness for "Murdered Missing Indigenous Women"(MMIW). Her hair is worn long for the girl's\women's hair that were forced short by oppressors. She represents both the original sisters that were stolen and the ones that live, fighting for their place on the land our ancestors set foot on first. The crown and halo that emits divinity and royalty represents the pride we hold in the people we are. Be the change in the world we live in today. Give these woman back the safety to live in their skin. We are The People.
What is something you learned about patriarchy and what is something you would like to change about what you learned?
I learned that patriarchy is an established social system based on the dominating and oppressing of women by men. I believe men should respect women no matter what.