Missy Whiteman (Arapaho and Kickapoo) understands her work to be a voice for her ancestors—to educate and to foster better understanding among all peoples as well as to promote change in Native and non-Native other communities. While based in part on traditional ways and ideas, Whiteman’s art also addresses themes of loss in relation to larger cultural forces.

Mother's Medicine Cabinet tells the story of my mother who was an alcoholic who abandoned my older sister and myself; as a result I grew up with a hole in my spirit. The bottles hold memories that my mother drank away; the rose is symbolic of the youth and beauty that has died. Spoiled mother's milk and a representation of an umbilical chord are the dependence in order to thrive. Many of the photographs are of my sister and myself that were taken during the time she was in our lives. The images on the top shelf are of the Arapaho mothers and offerings of dried corn and a tobacco tie and are also a reminder that the ancient mothers are always watching over us. On the inside of the right hand cabinet door is on of the only photograph that I have of my mother. This was taken when she was a senior in high school; this is how I picture her always being. My son’s handprint is placed within mine and is placed underneath his photograph on the left cabinet door. He is the future and is apart of the breaking of the cycle of alcoholic mothers losing their children in our family. There is much pain that alcoholic mothers and their children feel when they are torn apart by this disease. Growing from this experience in my life has required much prayer, forgiveness and love for my mother.

Detached Attachment is an autobiographical view of childhood neglect and abuse as a result of alcoholism in the family. I have placed my son in my shoes as a vehicle for these small glimpses into my childhood. This series of photographs take the viewer back to the age of one to three years of age. My memories are quick, tactile glimpses that a small child may have as well as the unexplained feelings that are attached. Today I am a mother of an almost four-year-old son who I watch grow and thrive as a result of his mother’s journey in breaking the cycle of abuse and neglect.