Evan-Marie Petit hails from the red earth of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia, the original homeland of her ancestors, the Aniyvwiya (Cherokee, Lower Town). She is a visual storyteller and eco-cultural activist at heart; a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and ecologist who documents stories of the often-overlooked corners of humanity, culture, and our environment. Her work is driven by the belief that amplifying these narratives and the wisdom they contain is vital to creating new paradigms of transformative justice and right relation.
“I approach the mediums of photography and film as forms of collective storytelling—a dialogue formed through long-term relationships with communities and individuals. Within this process, we creatively explore the power of visuals to instill connection and inspire action in ways that foster kinship, cultural preservation and healing of humanity’s relationship with the earth. To be an ethical storyteller in this modern era, I believe it is essential to honor the old stories and deep, land-based ecological knowledge; decolonizing the lens as we move forward visioning revolutionary futures.”
Evan-Marie is a member and contributing photographer of Women Photograph, Diversify Photo and an NWCG Wildland Firefighter Type 1(T), Cultural Fire Practitioner and First Responder.
Clients & collaborators include:
NDN Collective, The Nature Conservancy, Indigenous Peoples Burning Network, The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Tribal Eco-Restoration Alliance, Save The Redwoods League, Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Loam Magazine, Snag Magazine, Hope 4 Natives, Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute, Ulu Va'a
Photo: Kilyne Oocumma
