Honoring Service: Native American Veterans of Wisconsin
Why This Matters
Native veterans have long served both their tribal nations and the United States, yet their stories are rarely centered in public spaces or historical records.
This project:
Honors Native veterans with dignity and respect
Preserves living history within tribal communities
Strengthens intergenerational connection and pride
Increases public awareness and understanding
The completed body of work will support community use, educational programs, exhibitions, and future publication.
About the Project
Over the course of six months, I will travel to each tribal nation in Wisconsin to photograph Native American veterans in partnership with Tribal Veterans Service Offices, cultural departments, and community leaders.
Each portrait session is guided by consent, cultural respect, and the veteran’s comfort — often taking place in locations meaningful to them or within their community. When appropriate, veterans may also share reflections that provide context to their service and lived experience.
All participating veterans and tribal nations will receive digital copies of their images for personal use, family legacy, and community archives.
Across Wisconsin, Native American men and women have served in the United States military at one of the highest rates per capita. Yet their stories, identities, and continued contributions to their communities are often underrepresented in visual history.
Honoring Service: Native American Veterans of Wisconsin is a statewide photography project dedicated to recognizing and honoring Native veterans from all eleven federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin through culturally respectful portraiture and community collaboration.
This project centers dignity, visibility, and storytelling — creating a lasting visual archive for families, tribal nations, and future generations.
Community-Centered Approach
This project is rooted in collaboration — not extraction.
Outreach and participation are coordinated through Tribal Veterans Service Offices and community leadership to ensure cultural protocols are respected and that veterans are supported throughout the process.
Whenever possible, visits align with tribal events and gatherings to build genuine relationships and community presence. Feedback, transparency, and image-sharing are built into every phase of the project.
Get Involved
If you are:
A Native American veteran interested in participating
A tribal department or community leader who would like to collaborate
An organization interested in supporting or hosting the project
I would love to connect with you.
