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"The lives of Africans and Native Americans have been intricately intertwined for at least 500 years. The relationship has been one of rescue, mutual assistance, and sometimes abuse and strife. . . . “ -- The Red-Black Connection by Valena Broussard Dismukes
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Valena Dismukes (African, Choctaw, Scottish, Irish, and French) is a retired school teacher, prolific photographer, lecturer, and community activist. She is among the volunteers at the Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center in the Angeles National Forest (see: http://www.haramokngna.org/) and a member of Neskinukat, a California Native Artists Network (More information about her can be found here: http://www.vdismukes.com/BIOGRAPHY—WHAT-S-HAPPENING.html.)
Her photography has appeared in the 2004 PBS documentary Black Indians: An American Story (available on VHS through the LA Public Library system and on DVD via Netflix); in numerous exhibits; and her photographic essay, Native Americans: The Red-Black Connection was the basis for her 2007 book, The Red-Black Connection. The latter profiles contemporary African-Native Americans in their own words.
One of her recent lectures occurred on March 29, 2010 at the Pasadena Central Library. In it, she delved into centuries of shared history between Africans and Native Americans.
Here, in two parts, is an audio recording of the event.
Original: A Talk by Valena Broussard Dismukes on African-Native Americans