Naishian Richards tell us about wearing her blue jay veil

Naishian Richards pictured in her Blue Jay Veil (2014)

My blue jay veil was made by Steve Baldy. It was made to use as a blind that you wear in the Flower Dance ceremony. You put it on so nobody can see you because you are a k’ixinay right now; you’re being put into transition. And it also keeps you in your space. You can’t really see very well, how they have it on you can only see the dirt; you can only see the ground which is good so you can pay attention.

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Naishian Richards is Hupa and Shoshone. She lives in Hoopa, CA.