Amber L. DuBoise-Shepherd, Shawnee www.amberlduboise-shepherdart.com/ BEFORE DAWN, EARLY MORNING PRAYER Amber L. DuBoise-Shepherd On her father’s side, DuBoise-Shepherd’s grandmother “I have strong spiritual ties to my Native culture and was Sac & Fox and Prairie Band Potawatomi. She was a heritage,” DuBoise-Shepherd said. “I actively attend skilled seamstress who taught DuBoise-Shepherd to sew, ceremonial events for my Navajo and Sac & Fox sides to make ribbon shirts, and shawls with appliqué designs of my family. Attending these ceremonies has created based on the tribe’s 昀氀oral patterning. She also created a better foundation for me. I was more actively adding and made dresses for DuBoise-Shepherd. spiritual beings of my mother’s Navajo side in my During high school, DuBoise-Shepherd realized she artwork. But I have pulled back on adding them, except wanted to pursue a career in the arts at the university in more subtle ways. I realized they are our scared level. She went on to earn an associate’s degree of art beings and I must depict them respectfully in my work. from Seminole State College and a bachelor’s of 昀椀ne arts I have also attended many of my Sac & Fox ceremonial from Oklahoma State University. Besides her family, her feasts since I was a child, and I have learned a lot from journey involved many other mentors for whom she attending. They allow me to feel close to my relatives and remains grateful. ancestors who have gone on.” DuBoise-Shepherd was previously manager of DuBoise-Shepherd has innumerable accolades to her Education and Outreach at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of name, including exhibitions, awards, and art markets. Art. She is currently an administrator at the University of She enjoys hiking, as well as spending time in nature Oklahoma School of Visual Arts. which is another inspiration for her art. 5