msit no'kmaq; all my relations

march 19th, 2019

samqwan (water) is screaming and crying

we need to hear her

If you listen carefully, you’ll hear the trees whispering to you

when you feel heaviness

when you want to collapse

put it into the grandfather rocks, they can hold it

trust the medicine

but be careful when giving, and accepting tobacco

that is a relationship you cannot take lightly

this belonging, this circle

reminds me of why our old ones push for community

we cannot measure how much the trees hold in their veins

but if you listen, they’ll give you a sliver of it

our people were right when they said january and february are the toughest to get through…

Individuality shines within a collective

within our collective

the ancestors gift me with purpose

this gift must be kept sacred

and safe

and sacred

and safe

the spirits continue to dance with me

let art speak

don’t speak for the art

winter carries the freshest air

the ultimate calm

sometimes too much

but they just need us to feel

our elders want to teach us more than we want to learn

remember this when you are afraid to make

the call

there is no comfort like being on your own land

you have aunties

uncles

grandmothers

grandfathers

niblings

brothers

sisters

all around you

you will always be safe here

cedar is our protector

we must protect her

when one of our own travels home

a part of our spirit goes with them

the heaviness will be real

but their spirit needs ours

to keep them safe

the wood takes real good care of us

daybreak holds the ultimate peace

the time when our bodies, and the ancestors

can come together

and be one

once again

my vessel is full of purpose as it flows with the river

home cooked meals

laughter

fire

family

language

heals all

the birds are singing our same songs

acknowledge them

listen to them

sing with them

laugh like it is the only thing you know how to do

everything I could ever need

lives in that fire

inside of me

go home