This is a photo I took of one of my mentors, Amoose Moore who was a military officer in the Special Forces division of the U.S. army and photo journalist for GLIFWC.
In September of 2010 I was taking pictures at Indian Summer Festival and I caught a glimpse of Amoose watching me from afar. After I finished my work I came back by him, he stared off in the distance and began sharing a story...this is what he said:
"For many years I've traveled across Indian Country taking pictures for GLIFWC at many pow-wows...there came a time when I began over hearing the dancers telling other dancers to be on their best behavior because their photographer was here...I'd look around wondering who they were talking about and I was the only one there...I came to realize they were talking about me...I thought to myself but I'm GLIFWC photographer, but to them I was their photographer...that's the respect I earned from them over the year's... I no longer was GLIFWC's photographer in their eyes...I was theirs"
He then turned and looked me right in the eyes and said:
"I've watched you taking pictures of all these musicians over the years and I see the respect you give them and that they give you...you are no longer News From Indian Country's photographer...you are their photographer... You've earned their respect."
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