Teen photographers honor native heritage in special exhibit

Columbia Way — Teenage photographers honored American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month with a special exhibit showcasing images that have personal cultural meanings. The 10 photographers’ work will be exhibited through December at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center’s “Catching Our Own Shadows” display. The photographs are meant to illustrate Native American art and culture through the lens of students that participated in an Oregon College of Art and Craft class earlier this year. Native American photographer Larry McNeil taught the teens over 14 days this summer, where they lived on campus, went on field trips and learned how to best capture both digital and film images. President George H.W. Bush first designated November as “National American Indian Heritage Month” in 1990. There are 566 federally recognized American Indian tribes, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The city’s Water Center is located at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way. Learn more at www.cityofvancouver.us/watercenter.