Exploring the trails and parks in the area to see native wildlife and to get an understanding of the ecological landscape of the region is a fantastic way to contextualize the experiences and lifestyles of previous Indigenous populations. Hiking the Perkiomen trail and Evansburg State Park allowed me to better understand its significance that becomes reflected in the art.
Attending Indigenous powwows that are open to the public, as some are closed off to tribal members only, is a fantastic way to experience firsthand how the ceremony is run. The one I attended in Dallas had a variety of tribal historians and archivists for project connections, Indigenous artists, and even the opportunity to participate in some of the dances. Consent is quintessential for any filming and photography, so please make sure to find out the etiquette for that particular ceremony. Below is a link to find powwows in your area! https://calendar.powwows.com/
Through the Ursinus Farm Fellows, I was able to participate in multiple volunteer opportunities in their native species gardens and was able to both learn and plant some native plants in the area. Understanding the ecological landscape and types/purposes of these plants further highlights another consequence of Indigenous displacement which is removal of the environment conducive to those plants. Plants provided a variety of food, medicine, and cultural significance and physically seeing and interacting them was a fantastic way to grow my understanding of them.