“It's Only Right That You Should Play The Way You Feel It”: Indigenous ‘Dreams’ and Creativity as Enactments of Survivance and Thrivance

Abstract

This conceptual paper explores Indigenous conceptualizations of “creativity” through the creative production of practicing Indigenous creators. Too frequently, the creativity of Indigenous Peoples is misunderstood or pathologized by non-indigenous people as a function of a restricted vision of what constitutes creative production. The culturally embedded construction of creativity as a concept contributes to the misinterpretation of creativity and creative output. This paper begins with an examination of a single viral TikTok video which developed through conversations and reflections with colleagues and community. These conversations led to the initial exploration into Indigenous creatives’ conceptions of creativity. Using Indigenous creatives’ language as a site of analysis, this paper offers reflections on the creative process of Indigenous Peoples, centered in: identity, resisting invisibility and countering erasure, connecting creativity to activism, creativity as a site of joy and celebration and creativity as community building and connection. In exploring creativity, this paper hopes to support educators in their work with Indigenous students, as well as those working with Indigenous Peoples’ topics and content in developing culturally responsive conceptions of Indigenous creativity.