robert “Bo” Blain
2018 Collection
Lawfully acquired aluminum street signs and spray paint

The disruption of indigenous languages as part of a broader infiltration of indigenous culture has been a strategy of empire building societies for ages. If a people lose their language they also lose the stories, memories, spirits, and connections to the land held within their original words and expressions. For the Nisenan the process of forced forgetting was done via various coercive means which forced them to assimilate to the point eventually trying to hide their indigenous identities to avoid discrimination and violence. Another strategy used to erase Nisenan language was the forced placement of Nisenan children into boarding schools where they were further severed from their words, traditions, and place.

A remembering is taking place within the remaining Nisenan who have begun the challenging task of reincarnating their original language. This graffiti was created to support this Nisenan remembering process and in the spirit of reclaiming the true names, and with them the stories of the original people, of the lands on which we live.

‘ustomah (oo-sto-maa)– Is the true name for the place now occupied by the municipal incorporation called NEVADA CITY.

daspah (da-sp-aah)– Is the true name for the place now occupied by the municipal incorporation called GRASS VALLEY.