Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California

“Dugan’s photographs demonstrate a living presence of spirit held within the embrace of beliefs, culture, language and ceremony by California Indian people—an embrace that comes from the heart of love and defiance.”

– Theresa Harlan, She Sang Me a Good Luck Song

On view now | Great Hall

November 8, 2024—June 22, 2025

Experience the diverse voices of California’s Indigenous peoples as they shape the present and future through the lens of celebrated Native photographer Dugan Aguilar.

OMCA’s latest exhibition, Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California offers guests a first look at a significant collection that highlights Indigenous endurance and explores the vivid tapestry of contemporary Indigenous California life.

Aguilar’s work, spanning from 1982 to 2018, defies colonial narratives and captures instead an unwavering Indigenous presence and dynamic cultural practices. His powerful images document a rich array of Indigenous experiences, from breathtaking California landscapes to gatherings, ceremonies, and the artistry of basket weaving. 

This collection honors and showcases moments of profound cultural significance and weaves together the stories of resilience and unyielding vitality that define contemporary Native life. More than simple documents, his photographs radiate a sense of quiet but determined celebration and resistance. Drawing from Aguilar’s extensive photographic archive, gifted to OMCA by his family in 2022, the exhibition brings these images to life through video, audio, and narratives from Indigenous artists, activists, elders, and community members.

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Highlights

Dugan Aguilar, Mimi Mullen (Maidu) Grand Marshall, 1997 Greenville Gold Digger Days Parade, 1997, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Mimi Mullen (Maidu) Grand Marshall, Dugan Aguilar, 1997 Greenville Gold Digger Days Parade, 1997, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar Jennifer Bates, Oakland Big Time, 1996, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Jennifer Bates, Oakland Big Time, Dugan Aguilar, 1996, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar, Adam Enos, 1999, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Adam Enos, Dugan Aguilar, 1999, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar, Tuolumne Roundhouse, 1993, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Tuolumne Roundhouse, Dugan Aguilar, 1993, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar, Elsie Allen (Pomo), Circa 1980s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Elsie Allen (Pomo), Dugan Aguilar, Circa 1980s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar, Valley Oak, Circa 1990s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Valley Oak, Dugan Aguilar, Circa 1990s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar, Untitled (Self-Portrait, Buena Vista Peaks), Circa 1990s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Untitled (Self-Portrait, Buena Vista Peaks), Dugan Aguilar, Circa 1990s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Dugan Aguilar, Chaw’se , 1995, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Chaw’se, Dugan Aguilar, 1995, Oakland Museum of California, gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Cousin Fred, Truckee
Cousin Fred, Truckee, Dugan Aguilar, 1982, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Meyo Marrufo (Eastern Pomo- citizen of the Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians), Tower Bridge, Sacramento River, 1999, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Meyo Marrufo (Eastern Pomo- citizen of the Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians), Tower Bridge, Sacramento River, Dugan Aguilar, 1999, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Sage and Kai LaPena, Undated, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Sage and Kai LaPena, Dugan Aguilar, Undated, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Sarah Keller, Chaw'se Roundhouse, 1995, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar
Sarah Keller, Chaw’se Roundhouse, Dugan Aguilar, 1995, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar

Sponsors

Major support for Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California is provided by the Henry Luce Foundation and the Oakland Museum Women’s Board. This project was also made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Henry Luce Foundation

*Header image: Untitled (Self-Portrait, Buena Vista Peaks), Dugan Aguilar, Circa 1990s, Gift of the family of Dugan Aguilar