Maya Tihtiyas Attean
Maya Tihtiyas Attean (b. 1994) is a Wabanaki artist living in Machigonne or Portland, Maine, raised on the Penobscot Reservation. Her work reflects her ancestry, resilience, and connection to the natural world. Through exploring the duality she embodies within the colonized world she exists within, she marries mediums and techniques of multiple cultures to create new realities and possibilities within her work.
"Does the Land Remember?" is an ongoing photographic exploration of the Wabanaki landscape, examining the deep and complex relationship between land, history, and identity. Rooted in Wabanaki history and culture, this project investigates the reverberations of colonization, the scars left on both the earth and the body, and the spirit that persists despite displacement from the land. Through photography and installation, Maya weaves together forgotten truths and personal narratives, engaging with the land as both witness and archive.
This work acknowledges the intergenerational trauma connected to land loss while simultaneously honoring Wabanaki resilience. By incorporating the Passamaquoddy language and visual storytelling, "Does the Land Remember?" blurs the boundaries between reality and the spiritual, inviting audiences to reflect on occupation, ownership, and the forces that disrupt ecological and cultural balance.
Maya will use the Film Photo Award to continue photographing across Wabanakik - the Dawnland. The project will honor indigenous narratives, integrating language, history and photography to elevate voices and stories embedded in the land. With the help of this award, she will be able to expand and grow this project, allowing for the preparation of a solo show in the Spring of 2026 at Notch8 Gallery in Portland, Maine. The work from this project will also be featured in a book, published by Wych Elm Press under the same title. "Does the Land Remember?" is not just about documenting history; it is an act of reclamation, ensuring that the stories etched into the land are seen, heard, and never forgotten.
Maya earned her BFA within Photography from Maine College of Art & Design in 2023. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Portland Museum of Art and the Abbe Museum. Upcoming places to see her work include group exhibitions at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine, Waterfall Arts in Belfast, Maine, SPACE Gallery in Portland, Maine, and a solo exhibition at Boreal Theater in Millinocket, Maine.
