Buying corpse tags on eBay: my work as an Indigenous artist | Gregg Deal | TEDxMileHigh

Did you know that in the 1920s and 1930s, when Adolf Hitler and Nazi officials developed Germany's policies towards Jews, they looked to the US government for inspiration? It's true. Where the US and Germany differ today is that Germany has made a conscious effort to educate its citizens about the Holocaust. Americans are afraid to face the gruesome reality of our Indigenous genocide. In this eye-opening talk, contemporary artist Gregg Deal shares a variety of artworks that bring the truth into the light. Gregg Deal is a provocative contemporary artist whose multimedia work challenges Western perceptions of Indigenous people. Through painting, graphic design, murals, performance art, filmmaking, and spoken word, Deal examines issues of decolonization and appropriation and their impacts within Indian Country. Through various social justice movements (#changethename, #MMIR), he challenges the silencing and erasure of Indigenous people, and instead works to elevate Native personhood and educate non-Native peoples living on Indigenous homelands. Gregg is a citizen of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@FirstBaptistVernon]

Thanks for sharing so deeply and powerfully Gregg. A little surprised to not see more degrading comments myself. May the appreciation of the sharing of truth continue. And may your talks get a lot more views!!

[@leighcudmasters5911]

Beautifully stated Gregg. You really connected a lot of dots here.

[@fionaparker]

Beautiful empowering talk. I have tears bubbling. But the good kind of tears. Tears of inspiration. And your art is stunning. Thank you. xx

[@epsilonsilver7860]

Timely message.

[@libig8245]

Very Well put. thank you for saying these things

[@CelesteDiIorio]

Powerful, Gregg. Thank you.

[@Coya1988]

Thank you so much for saying the things that need to be said in a time that is still so turbulent and unjust. You are doing excellent work helping people to remember, acknowledge and heal.

[@apietsch100]

You are a beautiful speaker, thank you for sharing.

[@Ald33baran]

Thank you, Gregg.

[@Seymourbubbles]

Thank you.

[@MrRbutler635147]

Well said. I appreciate your creative genius, and I listen to bad Indian all the time. I enjoyed your last show in Salt Lake and I am sharing this with everyone.

[@carolynmarinel2566]

Thank you Gregg.

[@theresedillon576]

Truths being revealed glad true history Is being told 💔

[@Tabbyc001]

Beautiful and heartbreaking

[@chepecortez6605]

I’ve heard that what I was told about native people in the place I was born and grew in what I knew as upstate New York was heavily manipulated. I have family members who seem to doubt it being a bad thing, some who don’t seem to be able to engage and others who can’t talk much about it because of it being to overwhelming. I have been unable to not consider these things in my daily life and am not sure what to do or not to do with the resources I have. I am growing most of my own food, practicing building with materials from the forest with what I have taken from my idea of the 7 generation rule of harvest and learning medical plants to use in my area. I hope to do more to lessen doubt and fear about this topic from the ones who seem to be suffering from this manipulation their life’s are built on and from in my family. They just aren’t able to see the connection that climate change, disease and war impact all of us and is limiting all human life the way we are with this and the earth or creator. Thank you for your work sharing and teaching. I hope I understand you and will continue to try to figure out how to proceed towards something that feels even closer towards what I hear was once a good way of living together with and for life.

[@scottschauer7088]

Dead Pioneers rules!

[@lisaellis9136]

My God! I'm NDN and never heard of these!! so horrible.

[@utej.k.bemsel4777]

I first thought this to be a joke!
It isn't!😢

[@therealcerealguy5597]

From what I heard, Johnny Depp is part native as well as Jimi Hendrix.. Elvis Presley .. Also Wayne Newton