Project 562 creator Matika Wilbur to keynote Native American Classic at WVC

WENATCHEE — Acclaimed Indigenous photographer and social documentarian Matika Wilbur will headline the Native American Classic at Wenatchee Valley College on December 7, joining a lineup that includes Native American musicians and performers.

Wilbur, who belongs to the Swinomish and Tulalip peoples of coastal Washington, will speak at noon in the college's Maguire Conference Center, Mish ee twie. She is best known for Project 562, a crowdfunded initiative documenting people from more than 500 sovereign Tribal Nations across North America.

Her recent book "Project 562: Changing The Way We See Native America" achieved New York Times Bestseller status and was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal in 2023. Wilbur's influence extends beyond photography into education, where her curriculum "A Visual Learning Guide To: Transform. Indigenize. Decolonize," released in partnership with the National Education Association, has been adopted by over 200 classrooms nationwide.

Earlier this year, Wilbur launched Tidelands in Seattle, establishing a creative center focused on Indigenous storytelling through various mediums including art, photography, and podcasting.

The evening portion of the Classic will feature performances by Native American artists at the Wells Hall Campus Theater at 7:30 p.m. The lineup includes Jamerson Cheer, a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and veteran of the Native hip-hop community since 2006, and the Yellowwolf Band, featuring Marvin Starr of the Muckleshoot Tribe, Prescott Speedis of the Yakima Nation, and Vaughn Yellowwolf Jr. of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

DJ Tee, also known as Jamie Lee Thomas of the Nez Perce Tribe, will perform as well. Thomas has earned recognition in multiple West Coast DJ competitions.

The event is jointly sponsored by the WVC Omak Red Road Association and WVC College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP).