Chas Ray Krider
The spoken word poem “Modern Native” by Andrea Grant is about the storytelling traditions of our culture and the duality within Natives and Natives of mixed-blood who have been brought up learning both traditional myths and western fairytales equally. It’s about honoring your tribe and where you’re from and finding empowerment within your origins as you face up to life’s challenges and take control of your destiny.
Read OnlineNever Apart Magazine Editor Jordan King connected with writer, filmmaker, artist, and poet Andrea Grant
Read OnlineComic books have captured the imaginations of countless generations and with superheros like Superman, Batman and even Wonder Woman – many would say that comic books allows the reader to enter into make believe worlds where anything can happen. Now a new comic book is about to make a huge impact.
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Andrea Grant is a writer and multimedia artist of mixed-blood Coast Salish Native ancestry. Her artistic reputation comes from a unique melding of poetry, illustrated fiction (including comic books), photography, film, spoken word audio, and live performances designed to create a dynamic expression that can be understood on many levels. Throughout, her work is deeply infused by her First Nations heritage, where she often weaves together traditional Coast Salish legends and classic fairytales which are infused with multicultural and feminist influences. Due to this blended point of view, her writing is often described as being that of a “Modern Native.”
Poet and storyteller Andrea Grant talks about being raised in the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses by a Native American father and a Welsh-Irish mother. While both Andrea and her father left the cult, and embraced their indigenous heritage, her mother returned to it after losing her 2nd husband. From mama Glenys, we learn about strength, independence, embracing your femininity, and social grace. From Andrea we learn about honesty, not being a victim, and the dangers of self-sabotage. Andrea also describes her childhood with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and talks about Native American myths and beliefs.