My Relatives, You Belong

Created by Natal Rivas Bolaños

This was one of the art pieces that was created as part of our Transforming Perspective project in 2025 that was focused on understanding the ways art can be used as a way to engage in dialogue, deep learning and collective systems transformation. Read more about the project here.

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Artist Statement

Borders are social constructs imposed by settlers who arrived, conquered, and fundamentally altered our ways of being and relating—to one another, to the land, and to spirit. Many of the Indigenous peoples native to the lands now called the Americas are actively reclaiming our traditional ways of life. This piece serves as a reminder that we are continuing to fight for our land, our rights, and for our ways of being to be respected and recognized. 

For those familiar with the struggles of Latinx and southern Native communities in the United States and Central America, many of the images in the college will feel recognizable. For others, the work may raise questions and, hopefully, spark curiosity—encouraging further research and self-education about history and ongoing colonial impacts. 

Art is essential to equity, diversity, and inclusion work. Creation requires imagination, critical thought, exploration, and an understanding of history and lived experience. Art is all around us, and meaningful change cannot happen without creativity. 

To unite people, we must listen to and learn from one another. Art creates space for dialogue, reflection, and connection—making it a vital tool for building understanding and moving forward collectively.