Born of the Bear Dance is the first monograph dedicated to the work of Dugan Aguilar. Drawing from the artist’s extensive archive, now housed at the Oakland Museum of California, the book highlights Aguilar’s commitment to portraying Indigenous life beyond colonial narratives. Through photographs of California landscapes, gatherings, ceremonies, basket weaving, and everyday community life, the publication celebrates the vitality, resilience, and enduring cultural traditions of Native communities. Accompanied by a biographical account and newly commissioned essays, the volume offers insight into Aguilar’s legacy as a photographer, storyteller, cultural bridge, and community member.
Images of "Born of the Bear Dance" book by Radius Books. Images courtesy of Dugan Aguilar.