Geo Soctomah Neptune

Geo Soctomah Neptune is a Passamaquoddy Two-Spirit, master basket maker, activist, storyteller, model, and educator from Indian Township, Maine. Neptune uses they/them pronouns.

Geo Neptune
Niskapisuwin Wapi-kuhkukhahs
Born1988
NationalityAmerican, Passamaquoddy Tribe
Known forblack-ash basketry, Indigenous rights activism

After graduating from Gould Academy and earning a theater degree from Dartmouth College, Neptune felt an intuitive pull to return home. Neptune changed their plans of becoming an actor in New York City and instead volunteered at reservation schools, embracing customary basket making techniques that were taught to them by their grandmother, Molly Neptune Parker, a Passamaquoddy elder and master basket weaver. Neptune began making baskets with their grandmother Neptune Parker when they were just four years old.[1]

When an international movement for native rights emerged in Canada and spread worldwide called Idle-No-More, Neptune found their calling as an advocate against government abuse of Native people and lands.[2][3][4][5]

Activism

Neptune joined the Idle No More movement and advocates as a two-spirit for First Nations and Native American sovereignty and cultural preservation. They advocate for Indigenous people to be who they are, with the freedom of defining themselves outside of colonization. Researching and carrying on the practice of basket making is one way Neptune continues their cultural heritage. They have spoken on the topic of how linguistic differences between Indigenous cultures and colonialism have broken down and erased First Nations truth outside binary norms, especially around gender. Neptune writes, "A big part of dismantling tribal governments and working to colonialize us as a people was specifically by flipping the switch from matriarchal to patriarchal system. We went from a place where women were in charge to a place where women and feminine people and Two-Spirits were disrespected because Native identity was almost a direct antithesis to patriarchy."[4]

Neptune also works in Indigenous language preservation, teaching Passamaquoddy in a language immersion program.[5]

References
  1. Mundell, Kathleen (2008). North by northeast: Wabanaki, Akwesasne Mohawk, and Tuscarora traditional arts (1st paperback ed.). Gardiner, Me.: Tilbury House, Publishers. ISBN 9780884483052. OCLC 221960560.
  2. Byrne, Matt (2014-11-27). "George Soctomah Neptune". Press Herald. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
  3. "Native American 'Two Spirit' Uses Drag to Connect to His Roots". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  4. Nast, Condé. ""Betrayal": Queer Native Americans on the Fourth of July". them. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
  5. "Geo Soctomah Neptune". The Maine Mag. 2018-09-18. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
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