Western society has placed an aesthetic value on the term tradition and its use in defining indigenous art. To be a Native American potter, the tradition of working with clay has to be unaltered. This is a naïve perception as our relationship to clay and traditions are intrinsic to our cultural landscape, which is ever shifting. By this definition, I do not consider myself to be a “traditional potter.” Tradition is not stagnant, it constantly changes and adapts to society. I am a Shinnecock woman that has a passion for clay and a love for the generations before me and the generations yet to come.

I am a firm believer that the creator gives everyone a gift and that it is ones duty to share that gift with others, to give back what has been given to one. My gift is the ability to express visually, what cannot always be described through words. I accomplish this as a visual artist through many of my works, often crossing between work representative of the life ways of my people, the contemporary cultural issues we are facing today, and my own personal experiences.