“Nanny’s Farm”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

When we were children, we would play while the adults visited at my grandparent’s house in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan.

Mee abii megaw abee-binoogii-yang kedum-minowiin, megow ka-ke-ta-tisor ke motecheowag. Ema Meeshomis, Kokum endo-what yeta Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan

We played all day, running through the trees, jumping and splashing in the water under the bridge and stealing from Kokum’s garden.

Keo- taminimiin, kega-ka-bec kessic. Apowata minowang ema mittogoke, eko-scon-owang neging-anaming ashogunning. Ke kee-moote-yang ema Kokum ca-koo-kit-gt, Otum-mimo-wang ech-quasowiin sheo chimo-gaa-gowiin

We played along the wheat fields behind the summerhouse. This was our playground.

Ema peshue-ca-qetiga-what mano-miin adamung neepin-wakak-yiigun. Meetma ka kee otum-min-owang

“Windigo through the Trees”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

We were always told to watch out for one another and not to go too far.

Gitche-gon na doo kee-omsi-dium kee-wiin tabida dumago-ing to on-qee konobimitiyang. Kega was ache isa-yang

Kokum would caution that if we weren’t careful that Windigo would eat us.

Koko kee-windamaqonan tabida Windigo keno-tes-gut-tay

Windigo was always hungry.

Windigo keno-tes-gut-tay

Windigo would eat us whole and would only leave our bones behind.

Windigo ka kitum-ee-gonnay-ed-ttago-ocunon eema ta-atwiin

I remember as a child running through the pine trees after dark, with Windigo was chasing after me.

Kee-kanton abinoogi-wiaan epimito-waan eema o-kanda-guck eneet-biccut enac-atawendannun Windigo ebiminisowiit

“Move Over”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

The sunset and darkness was Windigo’s gaze.

Kabiit-neka-nee-baan-gishimuut keesis shi-go Windigo ay-gona

Windigo looking deep into my being, knowing where I came from before I was born.

Windigo eco-nog-bimit-ayewa-cun-dung ka kima kee-goo oma. Andee co-wonsi-pematisan

It knew me. I was scared.

No-kum ka-wiin nega-wasa dis-asee- ima onji kawa-conoc. Kee can-nemic koo-ko-tash

I never strayed too far from the light and always kept close to my sister and my cousins.

Kaa-nee-ka wasa geesha-see aying-go-ge ema kawas-koneck shigo tabida pe-sho ande ema, shigo kii-enwabanuck

“Darkness”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

The Windigo is always hungry no matter how much it consumes. It will eat you alive.

Tabita Windigo no-tess-ka-tay

He will eat you alive.

Pego-minick weasin-nit ka-kit-ta-mook

Windigo is the darkness.

Windigo awa kakistipicut

Darkness cultivates darkness.

Kakistipicut omin-aan-dan tipicut

It is difficult to see the light amidst the darkness.

Sum-gut chee wagadumun kissicut o-sham missomick tipican nagut

“Colonial Lava”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Strength turns to weakness.

Shon-gi-see-yun shego majenda-go-se-ee-yan

What you once knew is easily forgotten.

Yak ha-kee-kand-mun kessica kawanee-ka

Confusion inside you causes you to doubt everything.

A no-chee kago-kessica ema attee

The things you believe were once true turn to lies.

Eeen-ga yay-ka kee-kam-do-mun ka-ween ke kam-dash-een

Lies eat the truth.

Kina-miin-owiin omii-giin ee-ay-ye debwe-wan

We lose hope.

Kiina won-ato-miin ey-yay-kanda wendam-mung

Who am I? Who am I? Who am I?

Onan niin? Onna niin? Onan niin?

“Our Lady of Seven Sorrows”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Windigo’s lies inside my heart and heart make me believe it.

Windigo ekit-oo ne-stick gone-ick shigoo dai-ach-ing da-bod-tawaa

I’m good for nothing.

Kawiin chang-goo de-na-bitizee

I’m not smart.

Kawiin nee-paw kazzee

I am not white enough.

Kawiin yaminick ne-wap- skeesh-izee

I do not pray the right way.

Kawiin ko-yack don nee-mee- yazzee

I am empty.

Kawiin tabisca pe-shiish-e-go-zian

Everything about me is wrong.

Kan-gkeg-go et toot ta-man onish-shis-noon

Everything I do is not good for anything.

Ka-kima-kang go-et toot ta-man ka-wiin kego-im-nap-tis-noon

Everything I do is not good enough.

Kawiin ne-ka keg go-ett toot ta-man shego koy-yuck

Sit down. Shut up. Do what you are told.

Nam-ma-taap. Ka-kee-by-an-doom. To-dum0ya-kai enigo-waan.

I’ll sit on my hands, keep quiet and do what I am told.

Kamiit je-na-mutt-tub ka-pa kindo shego ka-do-than-a-go nan-any- kowan

Windigo grows bigger and darkness eats away the dying light.

Windigo na-wuutch anii-midimdo shego kush-itibick-kuck omii-gin ka-nii keesis kanen-nii-but

“Teepee Teaching”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

No… wait. STOP!

Ka-wiin peka ke-pit-cheen

Slow down. Listen.

Papeca-catch undo-tun

Enough is enough.

Meminick tago meminick

You are more than enough

Niin meminisk shigo meminick

“Keesis Sagay Egette: First Shining Rays”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Wake up my girl. Wake up my daughter. It’s time to wake up.

Waniscan damis asha-chee wan-nish-kay-gun

Do not lose hope.

Kego-wan it-tochan-ya kan-da wand damun

You are more precious and important than you think you are.

Kiin kee kitchee iman-da kosa-peetich na wuttch mee-mick ky im-nan damun

You are brilliant.

Na wuttch ke-nee-paw-ka apeach ky-iman danion

You are good enough.

Ke kitch-mandago

Everything about you is right.

Kiin ka-kim-na keg-go onish-is-sin

Everything will be good in your life when you walk on the path that you believe is your journey here on this earth.

Ka kiin-na-keg-go onish-isin bematizee-ay-yun. Yaa ke teput-tum-un ya-ka pimus-ayun Onna akiin

“Ancestors”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

The ancestors are watching over you.

Peck-shoo kee-kin nob mick-kook

Whenever you are lost in the darkness or trying to find your way home amidst the pine trees, remember that the medicine and helpers are all around you.

Kespin wanise-nun ima ka-kishkeetepikuk kam-ma ka-kay mick-a-mun unda-iyak wnan nishin un-pimo-say-yun kas-kan-di-gook miitikuck

The grandfathers and grandmothers are walking with you always. They will help you, all you have to do is ask.

Ka kandan ka-kn a-ky kimishomisuck shigo koo-kuck ke-we-chee pimosumick-kook tabida. Ke-we-chee wick-gook kee-sag-kee-kook.

You never walk alone. The ancestors look after you. They love you.

Chee mittchay guet-chee ma-ta-ock. Kawiin nii ka-kee pe-chee go-see

“Swept Away”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Help me. I’m lost.

Wii-chii-shin. Nii-wamishin

I don’t know what I’m doing.

Kawiin kee-kand daseen akow-nan ett- toot damun

Help me, I need to know I’m not alone.

Wii-chii-shin. Nodan kand-dan kii-ka apshee-go-wan

“Helpers at my Window”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

This morning a hummingbird with a bright fuchsia chest came to the window.

No-goom keekisepp amo-pemechae a-onishee-sitt

How strange I thought. It’s much too early. It’s only May.

Kee-ponee ne-wass emi-gu-nig ke chee nana dan-dom

She came to help me.

Ash-m-wega nogoom zaag-iba-gaa eh-kee-pee-wee-chee- wiit

“Remembered”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Hummingbird is a messenger and stopper of time.

Amo-peneshee-ence ab-bee weendum mow-witt ka-kina-keggo kee-pee-chee-ma-gut

Hummingbird is a symbol of love, joy and beauty.

Amo-peneshee-ence ep-pitoot-kee-chee ka-goo min-an-do-koon shego kazz-sha-ting

Hummingbirds can fly backwards and forwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past but not to dwell.

Amo-peneshee-ence pa-mashee nee-gan-esh-ee kama-as-ap pmio-pi-say awiin da-ma-go-ing a kingo-ma-ka-wung chee k-neb-dunm-ming ka-kee ish-dee biimatizi-wang kawiin me-me-je-ay-yung

“Just keep going.”

“pishamego chim-matizee-yung”

“Messenger of the Past, Present, and Future”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

When the hummingbird hovers over the flowers to drink the nectar, she teaches us to savor each moment.

Abee amo peneshee pim-ib-pish-oo tema wabigoon-nee chim-min-nee- guet. Akeen-no-mag ko-wang-chee

Life is good. Live life loving one another.

_imatizee-yung koo-yuck. Pimatizee-win onish-ee-shin shego chee-saga-git-yung.

“Hummingbird Medicine”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Hummingbirds teach us fierce independence and to fight where no one gets hurt.

Amo-peneshee ke kin-nown-naa-gow-nan koyy-yuck chee-ezze-matiz-yung phe-go ka-ga-chee mee-gat-ee-yung

Hummingbirds open the heart after hurt has closed our hearts or minds.

Amo-peneshee shego ka-ga chee kee-pum- young kee-ta-che-eman

Hummingbirds teach to forgive and to love again.

Amo-peneshee kee-kim-mog-ma kanan pe-nan-ay-ing a-wee-yay shego to-sag-gay-yung nena-won

“Infinity”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Hummingbirds teach us that love is infinite. Love always.

A-kin-og-ma-go-wing pee-cheen na-gow no-goom shego wa-bung. Zag-git-ing tabida.

We are one, we are all interconnected.

Ga-gin-a a-way-aa pes-sig-omo kagim-a-waya oma akin- tach-go pechick

“Brother”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Hummingbirds are seemingly tireless. They migrate over 2000 miles every year and always get there.

Amo-peneshee tagish-oo kan-nee-kaa endess no da-sing. Pime-gesh-ow-wa 2000 te-gay gun-nun tabida.

She teaches us, no matter how small, can achieve anything we put our minds to.

Kee kim-og-ma-go-nanpee-koom minick kay-ka chee-kee-pitch-ay-yung. Pee ko-keg-goo kee-chit ta-kusk-kit to-ming kee=spin tha=pet-ta-mun.

Never give up!

Kee bit-chee-yung

Always pursue your dreams.

Tabida ya-ka pim-a-sha amun-ima ke-tay-ang

Always live what you believe is possible.

Tabida pim-mim-a-zay-yan ya-ka-ta pwet-ta-mun

“Life is Beautiful”

Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2018

Whenever you feel Windigo’s gaze or his breath down your neck…

Kespin Windigo mo-shee-yat eg-guno-bimick kama apa-kit-an-na-mut ema okeck-gun

Whenever you feel he is chasing you through the pine trees…

Kespin e-pin sho-wick ima kas-kan-dig-ook mitti-kuck

Whenever you feel lost…

Kespin ko-wan-ish, kespin en-dom-min a-wan-ish-shin

Think of the hummingbird medicine and know that you are loved.

Ma-meek-wan-don amo-peneshee shon-gut mas-kee-kee

You are and always will be- forever loved.

Ke-ta-a-wuck mi-suck-um-mick a-wee chee-kock a-sha-gee-kock