PORT ANGELES — The Elwha Klallam Heritage Center will host an open house and presentation featuring photographer Jeff Ferguson and his exhibit “Rez Life: A Glimpse Into Indian Country” on Tuesday.
Doors at the center at 401 E. First St. will open at 5 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The exhibit of 24 canvas prints will be on display through April 21.
“This exhibit and presentation shines a light on current and ongoing injustices, both social and economic, at various Native American reservations,” organizers said.
“Many of the stories are from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the poorest place in America. The artist will address occurrences at Standing Rock and expose some untold truths,” they said.
“Some of the topics covered will be mission schools and their history of physical, sexual and mental abuse; unfair and unethical business practices on reservations; the lack of law enforcement’s ability to prosecute non-natives on the reservation; racial tension; the lack of cleanup efforts and funding for waste-lands on reservations; historical and intergenerational trauma; suicide; drug abuse; alcoholism; and hope (or lack thereof).”
Ferguson, owner of J. Ferguson Photography, was born in Pullman and now lives in Spokane.
He is a Spokane tribal member who holds an associated degree in photography from Spokane Falls Community College and a bachelor’s in communications from Whitworth University.
