Ukwe and Flowers // the portrait that started it all
Faith is Here
"Her veins flow so deep into this land. The cutting down and de-flowering couldn't uproot her. She is made of sky and earth." - Santee Smith // Original photo by Semiah Smith
"I am a Haudenosaunee woman from Six Nations. An artist who is training to become an art therapist. Hoping to link my culture, nature and art into a healing modality to help others connect and heal with not only themselves but with their surroundings." - Serene
"Though my soul may set in darkness it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night." - Sarah Williams // Featuring Sucely Lucifera of Starlight and Bone Jewelry
"Unity is the enemy of the oppressor." - Kim Smith // Original photo by Makai Lewis
"Walk with me, baby boy."
"Our children are proud Cree/Mexika from Sweetgrass First Nation in SK, and they're our world!" - Mexika Designs
"Our Strength, Our Courage, Our Power" // Featuring Jennifer from Fort Simpson, NT Original photo by Shawna McLeod from Fort Providence, NT. // They're both Denes from the Deh Cho region in the Northwest Territories. Together they collaborated and created this photo for a Dickson Design contest.
"My goal is to radiate love. I've seen what it can do for myself and how it can impact others in a positive way." Jess Martin
Water Walkers // Featuring Liz Osawamick, Tasha Beeds and Georgie Horton-Baptiste
"Stay red, and remain strong." - Nishinaababe
"Lorna Stevens Hunter is from the Tlingit and Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Nations. She is a passionate lobbyist, community organizer, radical feminist and artist. She is a truth-teller who stands for justice, and her integrity lies with aligning herself with the most vulnerable and marginalized in our world. Lorna is a storyteller of her people; she utilizes culture to heal the deepest wounds of her people. herself and her family. Pictured here is her daughter Estella."
Nathalie Wajashk and Jordan Mowat
Sarah Ortegon // Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho // Miss Native American USA 2013-2014
"We all need each other and the more we let ourselves love the more love we have to give. our family is full of love and growing." - Sunny Redbear
RISE // featuring Sasha Lee Brown's niece and nephew.
Nigozis "Ozhaawashko Bines" Gonzalez of the Red Lake Nation of Anishinaabe
KFM & TAS, best friends forever! // Serena Huntinghawk
Water is Life // Featuring Frank Waln // Original photo by Idris & Tony, Bastard Fanzine
"Here's to good women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them." - Kim Smith // Original photo by Makai Lewis
Lea and Dorie (grandma), Anishinaabe
"She walks in beauty like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And that's the best of dark and bright Meets in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies." - Ardash Crowfoot
Malina Dawn Muskegon and Olivia // Olivia's lineage is Wipishana tribe from South America - my husband and his mother, grandmother etc. all born Guyana. And her mother is Taino from South America. And me, her stepmom - I am Cree, Mohawk, Chipewyan, Hungarian, Romanian, English and Scottish...European on my father's side. We are both young Indigenous women. Olivia is studying film in New York and I'm a yogini/artist/traditional medicine holder here in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada."
Christina Stonefish and Chris Wrightman
Aerie & Lyrikah
For Candace Brunette // Original photo by DaSilva Photography
Way of being. What propels me forward is this blooming of the heart, An alignment of lineage that brings me to this moment. My ancestors' breath is within my chest and I speak with the mouths of my grandmother. They didn't fight to survive only for my mind to forget. But how could it, when my body and spirit Dance to the beat of our blood memory? The songs, although quiet right now, live still Within the space between my ribs and lungs. The language, although shyly awakening, sits Patiently at the back of my throat and brain. What pushes me forward is this blossoming of love, A joining of visions, dreams, and visiting with spirit. My ancestors' breath is within my chest and I will sing with the voices of my grandmother This is how I learn to walk with one foot in each world, but with one heart, open and clear." -Nahannee-fe Shuitemaker
"My son filled a place in my heart that I never knew was empty." - Steph Stonefish
Featuring Chenoa Urness // Original photo by Thundervoice Eagle
"Love is one of the greatest gifts we can give. Like a seed, we can plant it in our lives and the lives of others. Nourish it such that it grows everlasting, expanding into the universe. Even in our darkest nights, love shines a light, a north star to guide us home. Love is powerful. Love is a tool for survival. Love is how we survived. So love unapologetically. Love like a sky full of stars. Love like flowers in bloom. Love strong because you can. Because love is everything." - Tanaya Winder, Duckwater Shoshone, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Southern Ute, poet, artist, motivational speaker, an advocate of heartwork and author of "Words Like Love"
"I am from a beautiful island in the middle of Georgian Bay called Wasauksing First Nation. I was blessed with my daughter on a warm summer night in July. Her name is Zhawen, which means blessing in Ojibwe. This little warrior has overcome having been born with clubbed geet and 6 weeks of manipulation. But! No way has that stopped her from advancing in every aspect of her little life. Being her mother is the best gift of all." - Manidogabwe Pegahmagabow
"Believe in yourself. You are stronger than you think." - Colleen
We are the greatest of great companions We share a vision We have the same goals We walk the same path We build each other up We know we will make it -Tara and Lindsay
"Celebrate Love. Celebrate Life." - Sasha Lee Brown // Original photo by Katherine Ruth // Shot with a Pentax k1000, double exposure, 35mm film, no edits!
"I am my mother's daughter. I become more like my mother every day. She is a part of me." - Erin
"The revolution will have kookoms." - Dr. Megan Scribe // Norway House Cree Nation
Marion Blake // Blake Angeconeb's grandma
Justin Jacob Louis of Section 35
Tehyotalati // The Cold is Coming
"There is no place I'd rather be." - Ashley Jensen-Hedegaard
Nurture // Featuring Jessica Martinez Maxey
Adeline Michano and Adele Desmoulin
Natasha Negovanlis
Katsi'tsyokwas // She pulls flowers out of the water // Bear Clan
"Our love is raw true and challenges us to be the truest versions of ourselves." - Erynne Michelle and Kl. Peruzzo de Andrade
Donoma Hummingbird and Little Song Bird
Sierra Jamieson // Oneida, Activist, Actress, Model, Makeup Artist
The Heartbeat of Mother Earth // Featuring Kim Smith
She Speaks Her Truth // Featuring Tishna Campbell // Cayuga Turtle Clan // Original photo by Alexis Munoa Dyer // Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Gramma Jackie // Oneida and Anishinaabe
Suzanne Shoush's great grandmother
"The cookie tin guitar resembles dreams that you have to grow into. Many talented artists have had humble beginnings on old cigar box guitars. They're also aesthetically pleasing. Music is my sacred space. There are so many different ways to make music and I am always learning." - The Northwest Kid
Melanie's nieces and Milo // a gift for her sister
For Serena Huntinghawk
For April
"You're strong and ambitious. Keep pushing forward Lenape Kwe." - Joleen K
Haven Dubois and Colten Boushie // made with consent from family // Included in Briarpatch Magazine (May/June 2018 Vol. 47)
Film still illustration from Mino Bimaadiziwin by Shane McSauby // Featuring lio frances and Grace Dove
"I've always felt he was from the stars. While I was pregnant, I would look up to the night sky, and this one constellation always stood out. Every time. I knew it was him waiting to come here with me." - Dr. Jacqui
"She writes << i always wanted to create a ribbon skirt for myself and to have the opportunity to invite my mother to the workshop, our finished ribbon skirts make us feel closer, I chose the fire colour background because to me it symbolizes the fire in my mother who continues to ignite her fire and within me to keep us both going in our daily lives. She is my true warrior woman and I love her so much." - Stephanie Pelier, Ojibway and Francophone
"When I rise in the morning and check in on my daughter I give thanks. Indi has taught me so much in the past four years. She has reintroduced areas of myself, I have forgotten and have still to explore. One significant lesson is stillness. She has reconnected me with taking my time and the breath through life's struggles. I feel so honoured to be her mother, My heart is so full of gratitude. It's been her and I from day one and she will forever have my spirit. It is my obligation as her mother to teach her about our Mother Earth and share the stories of our ancestors." - Kristen and Indi Skyler
Christina Stonefish's parents
"Never underestimate a woman with a prayer and a plan." - Rosary Spence
"Growing up in late Nali Hastiin/paternal granddad, reminded me to fight for two things: K'e/family and Love. It was apparent to me that the two often blended together. By choosing to fight in love and with love - there is only light and medicine to be found. I remind myself always to "shine love" meaning I return to actions of love to navigate this world. I truly believe when we choose to love ourselves we create powerful reactions which lead to revolutions that allow us to return to the teachings of our people. This enables us to speak sacredness fluently. We are innately loving beings, our ceremonies and languages are built on foundations of love - love of the earth and love of each other. Shine love shik'e/my family!" - Jaclyn Roessel of Grownup Navajo
Nathalie Wajashk and Jordan Mowat
"There's only one truth and that's love. All else stems from illusion." - Tall Paul // Original photo by Mic Jordan
Kim Smith
Frank Waln // Inspired by the original photo by Idris & Tony, Bastard Fanzine
"As I put on my regalia, I feel as though I am strapping on armour. Armour made from the suffering of my ancestors hundreds of years ago, to my fellow siblings who are suffering now. We are diverse people but in many ways similar. We are strong, indestructible, and more than anything, we are resilient. I wear my armour proudly for those whose lives were stripped from them. I wear my armour proudly for those who no longer can." - JoElle Campbell // Haudenosaunee | Cayuga // Original photo by Alexis Munoa Dyer
"My grandpa and his wife helped me make this dress. I am trying to learn to let my light shine through. Much love." - Storm
Featuring Leah Arcand and Craig Edes // Original photo by Tenille Campbell of Sweetmoon Photo from the series "Kissing Indigenous"
"Maybe the wolf is in love with the moon and each month it cries for a love it will never touch."
Alyssa and Siikwan
"Shoshone Love Song" is dedicated to Huttsi Bobi. I will meet you someday Home Through Starshine Fair is the white star of twilight, and the sky clearer at the day's end; But she is fairer, and she is dearer. She, my heart's friend! Far stars and fair in the skies bending, Low stars of hearth fires and wood smoke ascending, The meadowlark's nested, The right hawk is winging; Home through the star-shine the Thunder comes singing. Fair is the white star of twilight, And the moon roving To the sky's end; But she is fairer, better work loving, She, my heart's friend "we are never alone, honour those that have gone before you, For they not only paved the ways but moved mountains, heaven and earth so that you can live to make it right. Action is nothing without love to file it. And the deep belly fires across the Nations are whipping and roaring, not to be ignored. Feed it with truth. Fuel it with love. Never forget." - Kristina Oppegard, Shoshone
Honour and Protect the Sacred // Featuring Sarain Fox during her work entitled "The Missing" which features music by Cris Derksen. // It is an excerpt of a larger work entitled; "The Red Road Block," which is dedicated to the thousands of murdered and missing Indigenous women and their families. Original photo by Brian Medina.
"I have my strong ancestors blood running through my veins. No one can break me." - Star Downwind
"I'm human - Apache, Cherokee, Italian, Irish." - Foxrydercox
Nadya Kwandibens of Red Works Photography
Honour and Protect the Sacred // Featuring Sarain Fox during her work entitled "The Missing" which features music by Cris Derksen. // It is an excerpt of a larger work entitled; "The Red Road Block," which is dedicated to the thousands of murdered and missing Indigenous women and their families. Original photo by Brian Medina.
Logan Staats
Logan Staats
Tasha and Leonard