Aanii Kina Wiiya,
Here is an update on some of the artwork I have been doing and a taste of the success of where my storytelling has reached.
In February I took the opportunity to submit my artwork design of an Eagle and growth of colour nodes with floral designs into an open call for artist submissions. It was put on by Hockey Canada, International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship – event was for the Womens’s World Championship that was held within Brampton Ontario April 2023.
Few weeks later I received an e-mail and phone call from representatives at Hockey Canada that I was one of four selected artists to be apart of creative the hand painted Player of the Game award sticks and would have the chance to present our game sticks to the Player of the Game we attend.
I was absolutely thrilled, excited, and taken aback when I received the news. I never thought I would have been successful for the callout, I know there are many talented Indigenous artists out there but I decided to take a jump to enter in my design.
Fast forward we the 4 artists, who turned out to be 4 Indigenous Women, chosen to paint the Women’s World Championship POG sticks, we each were given 25 sticks and a timeframe to paint and return the sticks, we had half way updates and check in meetings.
All the while keeping under wraps what we were doing until the games started. So the news broke of our involvement and the questions and curiosities came in, about how this opportunity came about and how we each felt to be apart of something so special.
I found such support from my home community of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and still receiving supportive comments. Interviews, guest artist talks, and those who wanted to see the memento stick I was able to keep. Further inquiry of those who wanted their own signature artwork and requests to paint on their hockey helmets and sticks. The concept of sharing our artistic abilities has reached support in all realms and this is something I was so proud and happy to see.
So here is a glimpse at the Design and the Stick / sticks I was able I contribute to the projects.
Design Proposal
The artwork I have created came from the thought of movement.
The Eagle is a wind being, a bird that is regarded in the Anishinaabe teachings and creation stories as a messenger. The one who has such stealth in speed, agility, strength, sight and intuitive senses. The Eagle is a medicine keeper of movement, moving messages, energy, and strength all swift meticulous actions, the aged wisdom that this bird possesses is by knowing who they are and the environment they are immersed within. Each of our player who take up the life passion of hockey will be an embodiment of these same skills and values. The passion of life and the motivation to continue pushing self to full potential of all their gifts and skills. The eagle is a reminder that even though the bird is highly regarded as sacred and a leader, the eagle is reliant on the family and support that surrounds their life growth. The colour nodes are life cycles of creation, the aging process of self growth, from the life long journey we take. Growing from a baby, youth, adult, to elder. The colours reflect the medicines from those stages in life. The floral plants grow just as we do, in life we nourish the inherent gifts that we obtain from our family who came before us, the more we reconnect to the passion of the game and the passion of understanding self, the more we become aware just how powerful life is.
