Delia first entered the Idaho Penitentiary in 1935 after being arrested in Oregon for robbery and subsequently became a recidivist because she was a person of color. She suffered for merely being alive. The American federal government created the Civilization Fund Act in 1819 and for the next 150 years, along with the Catholic Church, implemented a genocide upon the Native American population. More than 400 Indian Boarding Schools across 37 states systematically assimilated children as part of the corresponding territorial dispossession and eradication of Native American culture.

Note from the artist:

As a white man creating this work, I recognize my inherent inability to fully comprehend the emotional trauma endured by any woman or person of color who suffered racist acts. I was assigned Delia Smith at random for this project. I find great importance in sharing her story. I hope this piece can facilitate and create awareness of the atrocities suffered by Native Americans.

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