Jaune Quick-to-See Smith:
Memory Map

Smith's art continues the storytelling tradition she grew up with. From an early age she heard the creation stories of the Salish people from her grandmothers and aunts, and Coyote plays an important role in them. First sent by the Creator to prepare the earth for humans, Coyote taught the Salish about spirituality and the sacred relationship of people to the land and all living creatures. But Coyote is also a trickster, whose lessons reveal the chaos and hubris of human lives and actions. Smith embraces the duality of teacher and trickster in her artistic practice: "The creator, inventor, satirist must show the flip side of things. They turn things upside down in order to lampoon the immorality or insincerity of politicians, priests, or heads of government or show the human condition."