medicine_shield

We’re heading into Pow-Wow season soon. Saskatchewan is the Pow-Wow capital of Canada FYI, so it’s busy time for him and me (when time permits) for the spring/summer and early fall months.

Charles (my partner) has a story about his paint, and how he chooses it, and it’s been different variations throughout the years.

He is niitsitapi (Blackfoot) from Siksika, AB. And me, I’m a proud member of Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation located in Saskatchewan and come from a super big family. 💕

—2023

Tough year for those that have experienced loss including us, so a hiatus was in order. I was hanging out in Threads though off and on, and Charles was busy with classes then final exams. I just found it difficult to deal with loss this year, and all the events that occurred but it’s another story for another day.

So here’s a question, what’s the big lesson and takeaway from 2023 for y’all? What’s a quote that resonated? Words you remember in passing? Photos you absolutely loved from other photographers and maybe it’s a photo you’ve taken.

—Regrouping

If you’re anything like us, we often pause and regroup especially if there’s been heartbreak and tragedy. We get comfortable and forget that tragedy exists or experienced by other people then something happens, so it’s been like this for a while. A long while. We know that riding waves takes practice no matter what age we are. In the meantime as writers, words still continue to float in the periphery. We’re surrounded by brilliance too. If I’m taking photographs, things somehow balance themselves out. I’m convinced it’s part of the bigger plan, as peace and balance come to us all in different ways. I remind myself it’s not always possible to align my words with the photographs I’ve taken and maybe sometimes they don’t require any words. That tragic events sometimes rob us of the right words, and those that are necessary but that there’s still beauty and brilliance in the world. Regrouping is a wonderful way to refocus, rewrite those areas we’re surfing. ..
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—By Yesterday

We’re supposed to leave things/places behind that don’t inspire us. The somehow cause us harm if we hold onto them, and the same could be said about relationship. We already know if someone disrespects you enough times there isn’t anything you can do to change their mind. And if their behaviour is egregious in nature, we don’t stand there asking for a second or third session. Why would we? We could argue the merits of maintaining ties that are essential, and maybe someone was having a “bad” day. However if people are kind enough to show you who they are, be obliged to give them the space to proceed. By yesterday, we’re supposed to know all of those things, how to act, what not to do, how to treat others, and how to show up for people you care about, or decide that showing up isn’t in the cards because that’s reciprocal in nature and you’ve learned it’s a one way street. By yesterday, we’re supposed to know how to apologize, and make amends. By yesterday, we begin to understand that certain people don’t make the circle anymore and that’s okay. There’s so many reasons to learn from yesterday, and that “by yesterday” is probably the furthest we ought to look. No use digging up old dirt because we might end up with a huge pit. ..
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—Better

Every mindful step we take brings us closer to who we want to be. If we’re going to be better we just have to remember to be mindful. To remember that so many of us struggle, and some days can be challenging. There isn’t a right time to change, or move to a space and place where we thrive or allow others to shine as well. Don’t be concerned if the pace is slow, any good thing takes time. Better means we’re doing all the things Creator intended, being the kind of people who help others, and being respectful in the process. Dream big, and watch over yourself and spirit. ..
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—Working Together

“I had a dream last night in which I was presented with phrases and various words. I was supposed to piece them together and make new sentences. At the beginning, I was confused. I couldn’t make sense of any of the phrases or words till I finally I asked my other classmates for help. So together, we made sense of some of the stuff. Other words I eventually realized was me piecing, rewording, and rewriting my own life. I didn’t have the ability at the beginning, but I had help. I didn’t have the right combination, or so I thought. Sometimes we need help and other times, we just have to figure it out ourselves.” —Charles Medicine Shield.
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