Breaking Barriers: 'Shinnecock Living History’ Shines Light on Native Photography With Display at Southampton High School

The governing body of the Shinnecock Nation is the Council of Trustees, who serve as representatives of the people, to preserve and protect the Constitution, and to act as protectors and promoters of the Shinnecock lands, traditions and cultures. From left, Sachem Charles K. Smith II, General Council Secretary Germain Smith, Sunksqua Linda Franklin, Treasurer Seneca Bowen, Secretary Bianca Collins, Chairman Bryan Polite and Vice Chairman Randy King. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Deja Ellis during the Eastern Blanket Dance, which originated with eastern tribes. The dance represents the circle of life. At the end, the woman lays her blanket on the ground, which represents the end of a life, or a woman lying down for her last breath. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Eli Phillips escorts his grandmother, Linda Franklin, who is the Sunksqua of the Shinnecock Nation, to Grand Entry, which she led with the other tribal trustees. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Kateri Robinson during the jingle dress dance, which comes from the Ojibwe people. The sound of rain brought healing to a sick girl, so they developed a dance using tobacco lid tops to imitate the sound. Eventually, it became a Powwow fixture, where all nations dance it. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Nootimus Williams and Justin Maddox, two members of the Youngblood Singers, sit at the drum. In Native American culture, the drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Nootimus Williams participates in the Eastern War Dance during the Veteran’s Day Powwow at the Pequot Museum. The dance represents one of two stories: a man going to war, or a man going to hunt. Williams wears a gustoweh made of turkey feathers, a hunter-style regalia that blends in with nature. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

A scene from the "Shinnecock Living History" exhibit at Southampton High School. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

A scene from the "Shinnecock Living History" exhibit at Southampton High School. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Four generations, on display in the "Shinnecock Living History" exhibit at Southampton High School. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

A scene from the "Shinnecock Living History" exhibit at Southampton High School. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

A scene from the "Shinnecock Living History" exhibit at Southampton High School. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Vincent Cuffee and Andre Franklin, men’s traditional dancers, tell a story of tracking prey in a hunt or an enemy in battle. REBEKAH PHOENIX WISE

Theresa Ameres, Dyson Smith, Caleb Cuffee, Nootimus "Noomie" Williams, photographer Rebekah Phoenix Wise, Kodiak Tarrant, Eli Phillips, Destynne Eleazer and Kateri Robinson. COURTESY SOUTHAMPTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT