A brand new exhibit in Walnut Creek features Native American voices

For far too long, stories about Native Americans have been told by non-Native people, whether in movies, television shows, books or the visual arts.

That's not the case with “Re-Discovering Native America: Stories in Motion with The Red Road Project,” a surprising photography exhibition on the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek through June 23, or a panel discussion June 1 with Native American leaders artists, including Oakland novelist Tommy Orange.

The exhibition features around 100 photographs, personal stories and other artworks collected by Red Road Project founders Danielle SeeWalker and Carlotta Cardana. The photographs document the lives of Native Americans today, from the sprawling landscapes of distant reservations to their living rooms in cities, where they have fun their communities, traditional customs and achievements or give voice to the continued challenges of historical displacement and oppression.

SeeWalker can even take part in the June 1 panel discussion with “There There” writer Orange. They will discuss their inspiration and the strategy of creating their work. Rounding out the panel are: Tazbah Chavez, co-creator of the FX series “Reservation Dogs”; and host Jackie Keliiaa, a comedian, author and actress known for Amazon Prime’s “First Nations Comedy Experience.”

Details: Both the photography exhibition and panel discussion “Contemporary Voices” might be presented on the Lesher Center for the Arts. The exhibition runs until June 23 on the Bedford Gallery and entry is free. The panel discussion might be held on the Margaret Lesher Theater on June 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $40. https://www.lesherartscenter.org.