Native Soil

In June 2023 Esther Elia invited Native American potters to Northern Iraq to hold clay workshops for two weeks in the Assyrian village of Bebedeh. We brought together Indigenous people from opposite ends of the world to continue ancient clay harvesting methods. The goal was to initiate a cultural exchange between local Assyrians and Native Americans by creating timeless art alongside indigenous artists and potters together.

Clarence Cruz (Tewa from Ohkay Owingeh) taught workshops and met with the few Assyrians remaining who have continued the ancient practice of harvesting clay. We agreed that it is critical we work to preserve and pass down these Indigenous methods of clay harvesting to the next generation of knowledge-keepers so our communities can continue to use our land’s natural gifts with reverence.

By working side-by-side with clay harvested from our land, we fostered natural conversation between Indigenous peoples from across the globe – sharing stories, humor, songs, poetry, lessons and creativity that created a trans-indigenous kinship. We know how hard we’ve had to fight to stay on our land. Revitalizing practices like clay harvesting can only deepen relationships with the physical land and generate a renewed dedication to preserving our presence on our Indigenous homelands. With that in mind, teaching locals how to make small pieces out of local clay that they can display in their homes creates a sort of amulet: a physical reminder of all the land holds and its importance to our people.