News & Stories

Winter Leaves

Winter Leaves

A tribute to the horrors indigenous women have suffered at the hands of police and hospital staff this past year.

The Elder

The Elder

Mother Earth must be shaking her head. The Amazon forests are burning and climate change threatens the world’s existence. In response, the world leaders are burying their heads in the sand or finger pointing or acting out against young children who are afraid the world will cease before their time. A new day, a new syndrome plaguing our kids mental health and state of peace.

Canadiana

Canadiana

Another year has past and our Indigenous sisters and daughters still live in fear, provincial and federal silence. The report was written after many courageous people shared their heart rendering stories.

The recommendations still lie on the floor trampled by colonists.

Muin’iski

Muin’iski

The eagle feather has a convex and concave side. The eagle feather represents the balance of all that is male and female, right and wrong, life and death, night and day (Jean McIsaac, Bear Woman). The eagle feather represents our truth, our story, and our struggle to live in a balanced state

Under Northern Lights and Stars

Under Northern Lights and Stars

How does covid affect our brothers and sisters – the animals, birds, reptiles, fish and insects? Limited research states that Covid has helped make their homes more secure, an improvement in health and increases in population. AND THEN HUNTING SEASON starts in September.

I tried to capture what they must be thinking. The lull, then clumsy noisy humans shooting at everything and then a lull.

Trumpocalypse

Trumpocalypse

Why?

Why do I have so much fear for my black son?
my Indigenous daughter?

They are young, educated, kind, compassionate. Raised to respect elders.

Why do I worry that they will not come home tonight tell me about their day.

I cannot breathe my lungs filled with fear. I sit at the window
my view obstructed by unstoppable flowing, salty tears
And I wait until I know they are safe.

Gathering Up Bones

Gathering Up Bones

Canadians who stayed home during WWII played a valuable role in supporting the war effort. The Inuit people gathered up bones and shipped them south for processing to make cordite, aircraft glue and fertilizer. People worked in factories, in mines, on farms, collected milk weed fluff, knitted socks etc. These people were front line workers and were often thought of poorly. This piece honours their tireless efforts and contributions.

Sisters

Sisters

May our missing sisters feel our breath on their faces from all of the four directions.
May they inhale our love, capture our strength and find their  way home to us.
M.M.I.W.G.

Poppy Feather

Poppy Feather

The eagle and eagle feathers holds special meaning for the Indigenous peoples. The eagle is a symbol of respect, honour, humbleness, truth, love, natural power, strength, courage, wisdom and freedom. The eagle is the messenger to the Creator and carries the prayers between the World of Earth and the World of Spirit. This piece honours all of the Indigenous peoples who gave up their native rights to fight in war.

Candles From Africa

Candles From Africa

Candles From Africa. Educate a woman and allow her to work, that woman will take care of her family and community. Education nurtures hope,the possibility of water,food, shelter and the development of community.

Homeless

Homeless

Homeless. Having no home. People’s inability to share, augmented by greed and climate change is destroying the planet. By 2020, 2/3’s of the world’s wildlife will be extinct.

I Have Dreams

I Have Dreams

I Have Dreams. Blue butterfly you. Red butterflies your dreams. Black butterflies your ancestors. The orb is passion, curiosity and fearlessness. Vines on the back, your doubts that hold you back. Break them.

Four Corners, Three Spheres

Four Corners, Three Spheres

We are at the cross roads. We are destroying our planet. Too many people using too much and we have forgotten how to share. The northern lights is a gift that could disappear if we are not attentive to our present lifestyle.

Fallen Soldier

Fallen Soldier

I was sitting in a waiting room and noticed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo’s son Marcus in full army dress preparing for his dad’s funeral. Cpl. Cirillo was the soldier shot down in Ottawa, the day Canada lost its innocence. The falling poppy petal represents Nathan and the butterfly represents Marcus. I shed a few tears in the waiting room, I pointed to the magazine and everyone understood.

Sun Through Trees

Sun Through Trees

Single piece of material thread painted and sketched. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy when walking in the woods and am blinded by strong rays of sunlight. The streams of bright light remind me that I am a very small piece in this world. I feel very
fortunate to live in such a beautiful and peaceful area.

Recipe for Canada

Recipe for Canada

  • 1 large canoe
  • 1 old growth pine
  • flying geese
  • 1 polar bear
  • 1 igloo
  • rocks
  • 1 howling wolf
  • acres of tulips
  • maple leaves
  • 1 whale
  • ice
  • 1 lighthouse soaked in salt water

Place all ingredients in the canoe. Allow the flavours to intermingle. Place in sun with a gentle breeze. Enjoy when ready.

To Remember

To Remember

To Remember was inspired by “Seven Fallen Feathers” written by Tanya Talaga. It is the account of seven indigenous high school students who died in Thunder Bay.

Five of the bodies where found in the river or Lake Superior.

The seven feathers in this piece represent the light and spirit we have lost when these children died. The black outlined feathers commemorate the missing and murdered Indigenous women and children. The smallest feathers represent the many ten year old children who are committing suicide on reserves.

May we with the Truth and Reconciliation Council be guided by the seven principles of the Anishinaabe: respect, truth, love, honesty, wisdom, humility and bravery. Every Canadian should read “Seven Fallen Feathers” and put an end to this cultural genocide.