Peter's profile
“I feel I owe a tremendous obligation to my ancestors. Therefore, using their instructions, I try to heal, comfort, and do good for as many people as possible.”
Born in Washington, DC to a pair of teachers, Peter Brooks uses his unique perspective and vision to try to help others through the arts. “For thousands of years all the babies born on the Potomac River like me were loyal to the Tayac or someone like him. Then a new people came along, and said we must be loyal to them, but no matter where we come from or who we are, we can still remember our obligations to the Tayac.” For Peter this means doing his part to keep the ancient traditions alive.
An artist in residence where he conducts soundbaths, Peter also serves the state of Maryland as a commissioner of Indian Affairs and works for the national social justice award winning Native American House Alliance in Philadelphia where he runs operations such as the annual powwow in September. Peter can also be found at most of the local Powwows where he loves to dance, and at trade shows where he presents an “entrainment device” or stand in singing bowl and performs or leads workshops. Often seen as a teacher in the Eastern Woodlands 2 Spirit groups, Peter is an advocate for gender appreciation, inclusion, and support. Like his parents he enjoys teaching, nurturing, advocating and entertaining.
Peter uses many artforms to help form a ramp for everyday Americans to begin to come to terms with their indigenous heritage. He shares simple, but time-tested, easy to understand practices that people say help them to feel more grounded and connected. For example, in his course for Veterans from the Maryland State Arts Council, he teaches 15 ancient performance based art form practices from all over the world such as throat singing, mantras, music, recitations and instruments, for stress reduction.
“The sound bowls and baths are a ramp up to a meditation state in the same way that the courses help people ramp up to entrainment or the idea of ‘connection’ which is at the core of indigenous theology,” says Brooks. “Of course, the first connection then as Marylanders is really with the Tayac or some local tribal authority to begin the path of atonement.” Which he says is very liberating and is at the core of his message “you are only above ground a short period of time, but you are within the earth for far longer, so its best to make things right above and below and in all directions. The way I think you should do it is by recognizing that we are all related, connected each of us, as a small part of a larger family. My artwork is designed to make people feel and experience or begin to understand that feeling and even be able to repeat it on their own when necessary.”
Born in Washington, DC to a pair of teachers, Peter Brooks uses his unique perspective and vision to try to help others through the arts. “For thousands of years all the babies born on the Potomac River like me were loyal to the Tayac or someone like him. Then a new people came along, and said we must be loyal to them, but no matter where we come from or who we are, we can still remember our obligations to the Tayac.” For Peter this means doing his part to keep the ancient traditions alive.
An artist in residence where he conducts soundbaths, Peter also serves the state of Maryland as a commissioner of Indian Affairs and works for the national social justice award winning Native American House Alliance in Philadelphia where he runs operations such as the annual powwow in September. Peter can also be found at most of the local Powwows where he loves to dance, and at trade shows where he presents an “entrainment device” or stand in singing bowl and performs or leads workshops. Often seen as a teacher in the Eastern Woodlands 2 Spirit groups, Peter is an advocate for gender appreciation, inclusion, and support. Like his parents he enjoys teaching, nurturing, advocating and entertaining.
Peter uses many artforms to help form a ramp for everyday Americans to begin to come to terms with their indigenous heritage. He shares simple, but time-tested, easy to understand practices that people say help them to feel more grounded and connected. For example, in his course for Veterans from the Maryland State Arts Council, he teaches 15 ancient performance based art form practices from all over the world such as throat singing, mantras, music, recitations and instruments, for stress reduction.
“The sound bowls and baths are a ramp up to a meditation state in the same way that the courses help people ramp up to entrainment or the idea of ‘connection’ which is at the core of indigenous theology,” says Brooks. “Of course, the first connection then as Marylanders is really with the Tayac or some local tribal authority to begin the path of atonement.” Which he says is very liberating and is at the core of his message “you are only above ground a short period of time, but you are within the earth for far longer, so its best to make things right above and below and in all directions. The way I think you should do it is by recognizing that we are all related, connected each of us, as a small part of a larger family. My artwork is designed to make people feel and experience or begin to understand that feeling and even be able to repeat it on their own when necessary.”
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