Ancestral Lines

Photography and Words by Joelyn Dalit

I think more and more about my ties to heritage. The idea that our lives didn’t only begin with our grandparents and that we are composed of generations of people leading back hundreds, if not thousands of years. Every decision made by countless individuals through the course of time leading to you, your knowledge, fears, and values. Though my people have long been disconnected from their ancestral roots as a result of colonialism, I look at my family as if I’m looking at a time machine. Growing up I only ever wished to see the world like any other hopeful kid, to experience a change of scenery and encounter new adventures; in the process, I would hope to learn more about myself, where I came from and what my purpose is. Since leaving home, I’ve understood that you can’t look forward without understanding the things that have happened before you. During my visits home from time to time and after many changes our respective lives, I’ve noticed that family has a knack for staying the same. It’s true when they say your family will always be there, and for good reason too because at the end of the day, I see my ancestors living through them. Their thoughts, motives, practices and emotions surviving decades living within the people closest to me. My foundation for who I am rests in the people I was raised with and it’s with that, that I carry on living with the same ferocity and curiosity as my great-great-great-great grandparents have. Despite the separation from our indigenous heritage that was forced upon us, they were unsuccessful in the end. In this photo series, my aim was to capture the everyday life of my family. Hoping that in every moment paused, every composition and gesture I frame them in, I’m also capturing the past along with it.