Pamela J. Peters '11

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Every month for the last four years, Pamela J. Peters '11 has posted accomplishments, milestones and other life events of Native Bruins on the American Indian Studies Center's website.

In 2019, Peters herself was featured in a profile that discussed, among other things, how, through her multimedia photography and video work, she explores her concept of "Indigenous Realism," which delves into the complexities of contemporary American Indians’ lives. She aims to challenge viewers to critically analyze the psychological and historical foundations that shape the representation of Native Americans in mainstream media.

"During my childhood, I observed the significant impact of films, television, and narratives," she said. "Specifically, I witnessed how Hollywood Western movies portrayed American Indians as adversaries, destined for destruction. These films not only misrepresented Native Americans but also disregarded their rich historical and cultural heritage. This realization led me to recognize the sociological harm caused by such portrayals. While pursuing my studies at UCLA, I delved deeper into understanding the root causes of these issues and struggled to reconcile the cinematic depiction of Native Americans with the realities of my own life.

"Through my studies in AIS (American Indian studies), I gained insight into the creation of policies aimed at eradicating the existence of native people. This motivated me to reflect my studies and present a contemporary, respectful depiction of who we truly are as Native people. I am incredibly grateful for my time at UCLA."