MT: Explain the significance of your work appearing at the Smithsonian.

CC: It is one of the highest honors. To go from my first official assignment on a reservation straight to NMAI — the country's largest Museum of the American Indian — is tremendous. Hopefully the images from this project illustrate my reverence for the Native American way of life. The ultimate goal is to take the time to get to know the culture as it currently exists right here in Michigan. It is a part of our living history, and I would be honored to be able to document it.

MT: Is this the start of a new phase of your career, documenting Native American populations and traditions?

CC: I absolutely hope so. I'm considering it an ongoing project — and I feel this is just the beginning. The experience in New Mexico and what's happened with the photos since then, the showing and exhibitions, has fueled the fire.

Sandra Svoboda is a Metro Times staff writer. Send comments to ssvoboda@metrotimes.com.

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