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When Europeans arrived on the North American continent following Columbus’ encounter in 1492, the lives of Indigenous tribes changed dramatically. Helping many of the European settlers in a strange land, Indigenous peoples pursued a life of sharing and caring as well as of harmony and co-existence. However, the peaceful co-existence did not last long. Infectious diseases brought by the settlers cost the lives of many Indigenous peoples, and the clash of cultures and worldviews often forced them to abandon their longtime homes.
Despite such conflicts, Indigenous peoples strove to protect their traditional lifestyles and cultures. By reinterpreting the values of the past through new means of expression, they convey them to a wide range of audiences. As people living in the present, Indigenous artists visually represent their identities and how they view themselves.