“I grew up in a family of Cherokee speakers. I am deer clan. This painting symbolizes the loss of language and the dimming of culture. It also shows there is hope in bringing it all back. A deer clan child is dressed in contemporary clothing. She holds up her hand with the eye of knowledge embedded in it. This eye symbol is seen in ancient tribal southeastern art and is often interpreted as a search for learning and artistic expression. Behind the child is a fragment of a Cherokee letter telling the story of how Cherokees strayed from their path and fell into darkness. The deer skulls in the painting represent this darkness. They are oriented westward towards the setting sun. The spider emblem the child is wearing on her chest depicts the water spider in Cherokee stories that brought light to the world, representing hope for the future.” —Roy Boney Jr.