Canadian Journal of Action Research Volume 21, Issue 3, 2021, page 1-3
ABOUT THE ARTIST AND ARTWORK
Malinda Miikawaadizianang Gray Trent University
I Bead
Kokum watches the RCMP take her children as her baby grows in her belly. I bead.
Mishomis refuses to baptize another child in the Christian church. I bead.
My father is hidden away in the woods and taught to respect the manitous. I bead.
Younger children hide when the older students come home. I bead.
Stories are told in hushed tones over tea and bannock. I bead.
I give birth to one, two, three children. I love.
Classmates hear me argue over the severity of residential schools. I bead.
Elders speak of how they cried when the government apologizes. I bead.
Comments are read of how we need to “get over it”. I bead.
Truth is told by 215 children whose lifeless bodies never had the chance to run away. I bead.
More bodies are discovered. My heart is broken. I cry.
I hug my children, my thread is unbroken, my needle whole. I bead.
EDITORIAL NOTE
The Canadian Journal of Action Research is very proud to showcase the artwork of Malinda Miikawaadizianang Gray on the cover of this special issue entitled ‘Action Research and Indigenous Ways of Knowing.’ Malinda is an Ojibway artist who advocates for the medium of beadwork as having an integral role in repairing cultural ties and spiritual beliefs to Indigenous artists. Her work spoke to CJAR’s editor-in-chief, Kurt Clausen, as a vision of
Cover Art Gray
The Canadian Journal of Action Research, Volume, 21, Issue 2 (2021), 1-3.
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collaboration and participation with the community; one that is very much in line with what we have been attempting to promote through our journal.
Malinda was approached to see if she would be interested in displaying a selected representation of her artistic creation for the front cover of this theme issue. To our great delight, Malinda went above and beyond by preparing an artwork specifically for this occasion. The artist’s description of the piece can be found below. The poem above was written by Malinda as she beaded this piece. She says, “This poem or essay kept rolling around in my head. It was very cathartic to write. It is based on my own family’s experience.”
We extend our sincerest gratitude to Malinda for this meaningful contribution.
Marianne Barker, Managing Editor
Cover Art Gray
The Canadian Journal of Action Research, Volume, 21, Issue 2 (2021), 1-3.
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MALINDA’S DESCRIPTION OF THE COVER ART
The orange shirt is to honour the lost children of the residential schools, with a broken heart to honour the grieving and sorrow our communities feel. I have centered it in the middle of the medicine wheel because this tragedy unites all of us, in all directions. The four medicines: cedar, tobacco, sweet grass, and sage are present to assist with our healing. The eagle feathers are to remind us that our legacy is continuing, our ancestors suffered continuing trauma, we are no different. We must prepare our children to be strong due to inevitable injustice they will experience. This piece is made with Miyuki, Toho, and Czech beads. The eagle feathers are quilled with 3-cuts. The resin cabochons were made and donated by my sister, Judi Keesic (Daysky Designs), who uses her own medicines. This will be donated to the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre as thanks for helping teach and care for the children of this community.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:
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Malinda Miikawaadizianang Gray, M.A. (her/they) is an Indigenous Studies PhD Candidate at Trent University, where she also facilitates beading workshops for the First People House of Learning. Her research centers around contemporary Anishinaabe bead artists. She lives in Nogojiwanong, Ontario, with her husband, three sons, and her cat, Hazel.
If you would like to see more of Malinda’s artwork, please visit her pages on Instagram and/or Facebook.
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