a poet photographer

please note:

this is a mixture of my lazy academic reviews and personal moments as a mama going through academia, and it is all my own opinion, and has absolutely no affiliation with anybody else

writings & ramblings

Indigenous Feminisms Power Panel

I had spent the earlier part of the day in outrage and anger, then crying a little as the adrenalin wore off. I was feeling low – tired of education people on what it means to be Indigenous, tired of fighting fights where the gains are so small and seemingly insignificant. I was tired of fighting my own people, who believed in the idea that “they don’t see race” and that I shouldn’t talk about race as I was “half white” due to my maternal Metis heritage. So much smudging to be done for her.

So I wasn’t planning on doing anything. But when my friend Andrea reminded me that the Indigenous Feminisms Panel with Audra Simpson, Kim TallBear, and Kim Anderson was happening that night at Station 20, I decided to go for it. I needed successful and independent thinkers. I needed women who were grounded and sane and high-thinkers. I needed community.

So off we went, and it was beautiful. I actually even took notes, and maybe one day I will expand upon this as a critical review, but for now, it was good.

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I looked around and I saw strong, Indigenous women. I saw Indigenous men, nodding along. I saw non-Indigenous men and women, sitting in and learning, being active allies. There was laughter. Teasing. A lot of personal reflection on how they came into Feminism and how they relate to it, especially to Indigenous Feminism.

I closed my eyes, sat back, and listened. I could feel my myself accepting a lot of what they said, relating to a lot of their experiences. I also felt myself clench in disagreement when they said something I didn’t connect with. Strong ideas were tossed out, and it was good. It was so good to see the diversity in experience that brought them all here.

Afterward, I said hello to Dr. Kim Anderson, as my photograph will be gracing the newest edition of the second printing of her book, A Recognition of Being. She was gracious and kind, and it was great to hear how the image fell into her lap and she connected with it. U photographers live for that kind of thing. Later, Andrea and I walked out to the car, laughing and thinking about the play we are currently writing.

It was a place of good spirit, that night.

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mood always

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