Hi folks,
Just wanted to share some updates!
>>The documentary film Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy premieres at Vancouver’s DOXA festival in May. The animation that I helped create illustrations for will be in this film, I’m really excited to see it in the final form.
The film speaks to the importance of harm reduction, especially in Indigenous communities. It’s a topic that a lot of our communities struggle with, I know my home community tends to believe that abstinence is the only answer. But the complex ways in which trauma and addiction affect people is complicated and requires inclusion with community supports rather than alienation. Kainai First Nation depicts real examples of harm reduction and safe drug use sites, I hope people get the chance to check this film out.
Buy tickets:
https://doxa2021.eventive.org/films/605b9e73e0ae9c00637e2bf3
>> I have a short story/prose piece that will be published in the next issue of Indigenous Brilliance, the piece is called ‘Bad Medicine’. It began as a poem and it expanded into a short story. It’s been a long time since I wrote in this style and I’m really excited for people to get a chance to read it.
>> Still working on the research for Helen Haig-Brown’s film on the Tsilhqot’in War. I’m finding that I enjoy reading the subtext of historical documents to consider an Indigenous perspective of how Tsilhqot’ins may have responded to settler contact. It’s really incredible to be able to talk with people about Indigenous histories in a way that is generative and openminded. It’s also really hilarious to laugh at settler escapades and how they didn’t realize how many Indigenous folks thought their surveying was going to lead to their imminent deaths. There is so much ego steeped in Simon Fraser’s writing for instance but if you can read between the lines, it’s refreshingly comical.
>> I’m still working on the children’s picture book project, I’m delighted to work with Medicine Wheel Education and the author. It’s been such a smooth project so far with lots of care and attention. I am very thankful for the good faith put into the illustrative aspect of the story project. I’m so excited for the end result.
>> My thesis is coming along, I’m really hoping to get this beast to a readable draft soon. It’s definitely getting there, I’m proud of a lot of the elements being raised so far. I still experience moments of insecurity regarding my abilities but that is definitely a challenge that I think all writers go through. I think that’s been one of the best things that I’ve learned so far, is that you will have doubts and you will experience blocks. But the goal is to overcome and persist past these negative thoughts/voices. I think about how hard I worked at sports and the level of determination you need to be self-critical but also to believe in yourself. There’s a lot of similarity in terms of the mental endurance needed for these kinds of projects.
>> I’m presenting at a conference for my English department in early May which is a great motivator for writing and getting my thesis to a place that I discuss widely with my peers. I’m looking forward to it.
>>Also, I’m providing some support on a conference/educational opportunity related to Children’s literature at UBC. It’s been fun to provide some insight here and there and as time draws closer to the conference, there will be more opportunities to jump in and help coordinate things.
>> On another note, my heart has been heavy with the ongoing shootings occurring south of the border, stemming from systems and governments founded on racism, violence and oppression. I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting and talking about it with my partner. How do you process hate and murder? The will and need for change seeps out into the equity related work I do for my day job. I struggle with wanting change now while respecting the process and time it takes for collective ways forward. It’s hard not to feel frustrated or exasperated. For anyone who’s work is adjacent or intersects with racial based injustice, I hold space with you. Remember to talk these things out with your friends and loved ones.
>> Finally, I have an additional update to share but I will need to wait until May to announce it. Until then, I hope you’re well.