Amber Gwin

BIO

Amber Gwin-Meedz, Nagi-nowii-O, Hishua Nugabagish. Mii giddashadzts. Hidatsa ida nogeree, giddashadz. I am the granddaughter of the late Almeda S. Baker, the late Ailsa Anna Young Bear, Anson A. Baker, and Buddy Gwin. I am the daughter of Quincee D. Baker and Alexander Lee Gwin. I am a member of the Nagii-Nowii of the Nueta (Mandan) and Hidatsa tribe. My name is Amber Marie Gwin.

Everything good in my life and good about me comes from the love I was so blessed to have from the ones (above and here on earth) who cared about me. Without them; I am nothing. I am truly grateful for everything they didn't have to give. I graduated from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies - a degree earned through the help of my grandpas.

Once upon a time oral traditions were held in high regard by all our people. Growing up in my family I was lucky to still hear many old stories. Although I don't remember all those stories I know they helped to shape me in a good way, the way a more colonized form of schooling never has. Through my life experiences I have come to appreciate oral tradition in its most basic form. However, the value of oral tradition is largely lost in many of our people but our stories still need to be shared. I believe films are the closest medium to an oral tradition that we have in today's mainstream society. It is with this argument I was able to practice sovereignty and incorporate films into my finals in a few of my classes.