In honor of Native American Heritage Day and the second anniversary of Subrub’n ndn, we wanted to sit down with author Hidden Bear to catch up! Suburb’n ndn is such a salient self-reflection for all who read it—with a collection chalked full of learning, acceptance, and identity on each page I felt like today was the perfect time to speak with Hidden Bear to shine a little bit more light on his book and culture. Let's see what he had to say.
Kennedy: Firstly, I want to say happy second anniversary to you and your book! What have you been up to since the release?
Hidden Bear: I’ve been very busy. I had some job layoffs to navigate and my wife and I welcomed our third child, a baby girl. It’s been wonderful but been a bit rough to squeeze in time to write.
K: What does Native American Heritage Day mean to you?
HB: To me, it’s about reclamation. I grew up without any connection to my culture or people’s history. It’s a day to spend learning our language, history, and making regalia. It’s a day to reclaim what history tried to erase.
K: What do hope readers have and will continue to learn from reading your collection?
HB: I want them to hear the experience of people living in the modern world with a native perspective. Often the wisdom of indigenous people is distilled to the past. And very rarely a wisdom to heed in modern times. The indigenous peoples of this world have much to teach the rest of the world but their ears must be opened. I always my work would start people on that journey.
K: What was your favorite poem from this collection when you first wrote it? Has it since changed?
HB: Nycyophilia. Without a doubt. I fell in love with the word when I first heard it. I love beauty to be found at night in the dark. And I wanted to capture the feeling of being in the forest with only moonlight to guide you. Personally, I think I nailed it.
K: What are some ways you like to do to celebrate Native American Heritage Day/Month?
HB: I make regalia, braid my hair, and tell the story of the Mechoopda people to my kids. I also tell the story to anyone who will listen. I love my people and am so proud of where I come from so I spend the month teaching as much as I can to whomever I can!
K: Are you working on any new projects?
HB: Yes, but it’s going to be a slow burn waiting for it. I have a lot of poems in my soul but I’m struggling to get them onto paper. But being patient and trusting the process was how I completed my first book so I’m trusting it again.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Hidden Bear and I am incredibly excited to see what else he does in the future. Suburb’n ndn is available online at major retailers, check out our website for where you can snag a copy today!
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