When Rivers Were Trails 1
The way people view others can have a significant impact on their actions and behaviors. Stigmas can have horrific and powerful influences on people, allowing for great harm and prejudice: a stigma isolates and places certain people below what is considered valuable for no rational reason. "When Rivers Were Trails" uses its historical context to reflect on the stigmas of entire groups of people. For example, in the image above, Makwa tries to persuade his younger sibling to stop being a "Two-spirit" not for his objection but to protect them from the harm of white people. A two-spirit is a term used to identify American Indians who identify as male and female (one male and one female spirit, therefore the name) or a third gender role not associated with non-native cultures. This denial and stigmatization of native Americans have trickled down into their behaviors and thinking. They attempt to behave according to these stigmas to avoid injury—the extra layer of stigma with the influence of the denial and oppression of lgbt. It shows how stigmas can act like a dangerous illness to communities and groups of people— it stops them from seeing the humanity in others, making it easier to hurt others, and stops the stories of the oppressed from being told. That is what makes "When Rivers Were Trails" so incredible. It allows for a historically discriminated and unappreciated group to speak their piece to the world.
