11-year-old reflects on pandemic, virtual school, and love for her Pueblo

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Native Lens
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Native Lens

Andreita Gonzales’s episode for Native Lens reminds us we can learn from people of all ages – and gives insight about how she sees the world during pandemic times. Her artistic voice is shaped by the skies, mountains, mesa and clay earth around her home in San Ildefonso Pueblo.

At age 11, Gonzales makes her directorial debut with Native Lens. She lets her age be a driving factor to learn as much as she can about the world around her and beyond. She wanted to show everyone that no matter what age you are, you can accomplish great goals, and it can be “pretty fun” too.

NATIVE LENS

Andreita Gonzales

Caring for her garden and ducks, and hosting drive-through Feast Days are some of many ways Andreita honors her family and Pueblo through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gonzales said, “I would like people to make their own videos for Native Lens and talk about the pandemic” so that she can learn about different tribal communities and their resilience during these times, too. “I wanted to share my story with the world, and for everyone to be safe,” she said.

Many Native communities are disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. For Pueblo communities many Feast Days, dances and ceremonies have been affected, leaving families to celebrate these important days socially distanced. Gonzales chose to make her submission about the Santa Clara Pueblo Feast Day, which neighbors San Ildefonso Pueblo.

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Inviting Native and Indigenous stories to be seen and heard.

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