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Having
lived in the Tidewater area for nearly 15 years, Freelance
Photojournalist and Book Author Vincent Schilling considers
himself almost a native of Virginia Beach. He did grow
up in California after all. "Though I may not technically
qualify as a true native of Virginia Beach,"says
Schilling. "I am Native of another sort. I am a Native
American," he says with a smile. As a registered
member of the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, Schilling falls
into the distinct category of our Nations First people.
Interestingly, Schilling's Mohawk reservation in Akwesasne
sits right on the Canadian and New York Border. According
to his Mohawk status, he is a technically a Native of
the United States and Canada. Though Schilling may bear
several distinctions, one thing is certain. As an author
of three books on contemporary Native American people,
a correspondent of a leading Native American newspaper,
and host of a new Native American "Native Trailblazers"
radio show, Schilling has earned himself a place of merit
in the publishing and media world as a promotor of the
contemporary Native American image.
Schilling explains, "Most people, when asked to picture
in their minds their definition of a Native American,
will inadvertantly jump to a stereotypical view of an
elderly gentleman on a horse on top of a hill wearing
a headdress and moccasins, "Yes, these are beautiful
aspects of many tribal peoples rich historical culture,
"says Schilling. "But they do not do much to
serve as a definition of who we are as a people today."
"If I were to ask someone today to think of a Native
American man or a Native American woman, do they see a
firefighter? A police officer or Senator? I would venture
to say no. Would they see a doctor or a corporate attorney
in their minds? Not likely. But these contemporary images
are who Native American people are today." he says.
Unfortunately Native American people are often defined
by their historical identities and traditions,”
says Schilling. “With the work that I do, I am trying
to educate the world that Native Americans are not just
a people that lived hundreds of years ago. We are alive
and well today.”
“Taking all of this into consideration, it is important
for me to state that I love the ways of my ancestors and
respect the words of my elders and value my traditions.”
Schilling’s three books, “Native Athletes
in Action”, “Native Men of Courage”,
and his recently released “Native Musicians in the
Groove,” promote this contemporary concept of which
Schilling speaks. They portray Native American athletes,
heroes and musicians in a contemporary light in an effort
to keep stereotypes at bay and open the minds of the reader.
The readers are not the only ones that have noticed that
his books deserve recognition. In 2007, his first book,
“Native Athletes in Action” won distinction
with a Moonbeam Children’s award in multicultural
non-fiction. It also received acclaim as book of the month
from “Native America Calling”, a nationally
syndicated Native American radio show. He released his
second book, “Native Men of Courage”, in the
summer of 2008.
His most current book for children is about Native musicians
and vocal artists entitled “Native Musicians –
In the Groove.” It is the third book by Vincent
Schilling in conjunction with Book Publishing Company
and Second Story Press as part of a growing book series
entitled the “Native Trailblazer Series.”
His most current book for children is about Native musicians
and vocal artists entitled “Native Musicians –
In the Groove.” It is the third book by Vincent
Schilling in conjunction with Book Publishing Company
and Second Story Press as part of a growing book series
entitled the “Native Trailblazer Series.”
In addition to his books, Schilling also has a weekly
blog talk Native Trailblazers radio show Friday evenings
at 7 pm EST at www.blogtalkradio.com/NativeTrailblazers.
His show, which highlights the success stories of today’s
brightest contemporary Native people, is already receiving
national attention. |
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