Aunty said when I’m her age, I’ll only remember the important, the beautiful, the good things, and the rest won't matter; only the moments of hot sun ecstasies they laid at my doorstep as gifts. Separate from the heartbreak which they could not help, which could not be any other way, which cannot be undone but forgive them anyway or don’t. If you can’t.
For a Dene girl who stole my heart (and maybe my soul* with her camera)
Tenille helped me become more comfortable in my own skin at a time when my self-esteem was fragile. I've had a lot of media photos and headshots where the photographers would lighten my skin, airbrush away the features that make me visibly Cree, or simply not understand how to photograph Indigenous women in a consensual, empowering way.
Indigenous women on the Prairies deserve reproductive freedom (CBC Indigenous)
"Indigenous women and girls — especially those on reserve and in rural communities — face barriers to accessing basic health care; and yes, access to abortions is a necessary part of the basic health care package that we deserve."
Twelve Thousand Moons
When I am old, I will tell you I remember dancing. I remember morning ceremonies at the Squamish, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Tsleil-Waututh waterfronts, shutting down malls in amiskwaciwâskahikan, organizing all night in Iqaluit, and the Chief setting up camp by that funny little concrete flame.
The Wigwam Conspiracy (CBC Canada 2017)
"There have always been divergent stories of "home" in Canada. Mythic, pluralistic Glowing Hearts, on one hand, oppressive Home on Native land, on the other. In the former, symbols dominate: empty wigwams and tipis because they don't speak back to paternalism; sacred stories removed from their keepers to prevent carrying the memories of our worlds into the… Continue reading The Wigwam Conspiracy (CBC Canada 2017)
In Defense of the Wastelands (GUTS Magazine)
I wrote a feature for the fabulous GUTS Canadian Feminist Magazine's issue 7: Love, titled In Defense of the Wastelands: A Survival Guide: "...for those of us in the wastelands - for those of us who are the wastelands - caring for each other is refusing a definition of worthiness that will never include us." "To provide… Continue reading In Defense of the Wastelands (GUTS Magazine)
Bones
The bones, too. Eat the bones too. Eat the leaves of strawberries; do not bite the fruit off and throw the rest away as if the plant grew itself with the intention of being easier for human hands. Soft salmon vertebrae melting into my jaw like warm chalk, and taking bitter green with the sweet… Continue reading Bones
Red Rising Magazine: Land, Language and Decolonial Love
I wrote a feature for the November 2016 issue of Red Rising Magazine, a publication run by and for Indigenous people, based in Winnipeg. On land and language: "Our languages and lands were made for love. We have wide skies, northern lights, and thousands of chokecherry bushes to duck behind. I know it’s taboo, but… Continue reading Red Rising Magazine: Land, Language and Decolonial Love
For northern girls
If you knew how proud they are that you made it to the age of 16 21 twenty-five 30 thirty-six age 10. in this province built up on the devastation of universes and bodies like ours you might never feel lonely again. The next time you wonder if life is easier outside of all your dark-hair, dark-sky… Continue reading For northern girls
My ancestors survived colonization and all I got was this lousy eye twitch
As the doctor empties a third needle into my face to temporarily freeze the colonial eye twitch I’ll endure the rest of my life, she chirps, “It’s great that you started this procedure so young: you’ll never get wrinkles!”
