Sacred Bundles Unborn (Friesen Press/Kobo, 2021) is a collection of essays by Morningstar Mercredi and a network of storytellers called the Fire Keepers. Their stories acknowledge the survivors of coerced or forced sterilization in Canada.
Artist's Statement
I was commissioned to create artistic works for the book cover and chapter introductions. Each chapter also features a poem. The pieces began as acrylic on paper, and then were expanded onto a 36×72” canvas. This collection (12 works) is available for exhibits.
I also wrote a report summarizing the discussion, research and recommendations of an experts meeting in March 2019, which supported a submission to the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2021.
Coerced or forced sterilization is the practice of sterilizing women without free and informed consent. Thousands of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit women have been victims of coerced or forced sterilization in Canada, with cases reported as recently as 2022. This practice continues without accountability by medical practitioners performing or witnessing coerced or forced sterilizations.
Jennifer Leason holding “Sacred Bundles Unborn”
The artworks in the series are meant to challenge public discourse on Indigenous sexual reproductive health and rights. It also celebrates First Nations, Métis, and Inuit matriarchal wisdom, strength, and resistance to colonialism. Ultimately the collection aims to raise awareness about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit sexual, reproductive, and maternal child health disparities and associated inequities.
Inspiration for the Cover
“Matriarchal Wisdom” is a painting that celebrates the strength, beauty, and continuity of our Indigenous Matriarchal Wisdom. When we touch our belly buttons, it connects us to our mothers, our grandmothers, great grandmothers and all the women who have birthed the generations. This includes a deep connection to our first mother – Mother Earth (represented by the turquoise background). As water and seed carriers, women and mothers are sacred. We all have a responsibility to protect the sacredness of life. We are guided and protected by Grandmother Moon and the ancestral stars.
The woman in the painting represents all mothers who carry the seeds of creation within them. The child represents the past, present and future of our shared humanity. The seven leaves represent the seven sacred teachings and values of humility, courage, wisdom, respect, love, honesty and truth. The berries represent the seeds of creation and our responsibility to the seven generations before and after each of us. The water inside the womb represents all life and the power and sacredness of all women as water carriers. The moon is Grandmother moon and represents Indigenous matriarchal wisdom and the power of a woman’s moon time (menstruation), which is also represented by the blood and placenta inside the womb. The stars in the sky represent all the ancestors and the life force of Kitche Manidou: Creation.
This painting is dedicated to all women, sisters, daughters and the okitcheta-Ike: women warriors who continue to fight systemic injustices to create a better future.
Poems & Artistic works
“Matriarchal Wisdom”
Acrylic on paper
9”x12”
2020
Touch your belly button.
Who were you connected to?
Your mother.
And when your mother touches her belly button
who was she connected to?
Your grandmother.
Our matriarchal umbilical cord
connects us all
to our first mother-
Mother Earth.
This is the power of our
matriarchal wisdom.
Grounded
and connected to
place
land
water
and the source
of all life.
Life givers
Seed carriers
Water protectors
This is our
matriarchal wisdom.
“Fertile Lands”
Acrylic on paper
10”x10”
2020
Empty halls
of concrete, stone and mortar
cold, grey and sterile.
Empty promises
of treaties and shared territories
built upon lies and deceit.
Empty beds
filled with numbers
identified as feeble minded and lesser than.
Empty words
written on pages of legislation,
eugenics research and institutional policies.
Empty wombs
ripped apart and torn
taken by imposed powers.
What was once promised to seven generations
What was once promised to relationships and sharing
What was once promised to the ancestors and those yet to be
is stolen through fertility
and empty wombs
to access fertile lands
and waters.
I will not let the darkness
empty halls
empty promises
empty words
and empty wombs
silence
erase
or take
what is not yours.
“Tears of What Might Have Been”
Acrylic on paper
10”x10”
2020
I dreamt of a future
a future of what could have been.
One filled with promises of continuity,
life,
love, and
family.
I dreamt of a future
a future of what could have been.
One filled with picking out paint colors,
cribs and car seats,
onsies and
mini moccasins.
I dreamt of future
a future of what could have been.
One filled with late nights,
breastfeeding,
pure exhaustion,
while I watched you sleep.
I dreamt of a future
a future of what could have been.
One filled with sticky hands,
sippy cups and tricycles,
and baby gates
to keep you safe.
I dreamt of a future
a future of what could have been.
One filled with firsts
first words,
first steps,
first day of school and graduation.
I am so proud of you.
I dreamt of a future
a future of what could have been.
One filled with watching you grow
and change
and become who you were always meant to be-
a forever part of me.
I dreamt of a future.
One filled with infinite possibilities
as I cry tears of what could have been.
“Ancestral Tears”
Acrylic on paper
10”x10”
2020
While I cry tears of what could have been,
I hear, feel, and connect
to our ancestral tears.
They prayed for you.
They prayed for me.
They prayed for all of us.
They prayed for life
for hope
for love
for continuity.
They prayed for
Light to overcome darkness.
Good to overcome evil.
Love to overcome hate.
The prayed
for the spark of the greater spirit,
for the seeds of creation to grow
to thrive
to reach towards to stars
and dream of those yet to come.
Those yet to be.
They prayed for you.
They prayed for me.
They prayed for all of us.
They prayed for life
for hope
for love
for continuity.
“Fine Lines”
Acrylic on paper
10”x10”
2020
Outlining waves
and Grandmother moon
Water
Flowing
Water
Carriers
Wombs of water
The beginning of all life
and life giving.
I am forever grateful.
Outline waves
and Grandmother moon
with fine lines
fine black lines
I am reminded
of all the lines you have crossed
and continue to cross
without thought
without empathy
unapologetic
justified.
Your crossed the line.
Fine lines
that should have been protected.
But was not.
Black, fine and blurred lines.
You crossed the fucking line.
“Seven Sacred Teachings”
12″ x 16″
Fine Art Paper on 188 GSM
“Seven Sacred Teachings” is a painting that celebrates the strength, beauty, and continuity of seven generations and the seven sacred teachings:
ZAAGIDWIN: LOVE
MNAADENDIMOWIN: RESPECT
AAKWA’ODE’EWIN: COURAGE
GWEKWAADZIWIN: HONESTY
NBWAAKAAWIN: WISDOM
DEBWEWIN: TRUTH
“Name”
12″ x 16″
Fine Art Paper on 188 GSM
“Name”
12″ x 16″
Fine Art Paper on 188 GSM
Gallery Setting
