bibigácla: continuous sparking of a fire

*working title* bibigácla: continuous sparking of a fire (in xá'islakala) Indigenous Futurisms Project

this special wearable art collection is inspired by Indigenous futurism; Indigenous ways of knowing leading the way. they are about the infinite power, eternal generations of Indigenous peoples before and after us living our wisdom, sharing our truth, sharing our love and care with the universe forever and ever. 

these imagine sacred beings swimming and flying through the universe, forever and since time immemorial. these imagine a world where colonization didn't happen, inspired by Wakanda, Indigenous peoples free to thrive and grow with no interruptions.

this work honours the Ancestors who hid their children and teachings, keeping them alive despite the colonial evils ever encroaching. these imagine one of my grandmothers, Ruby, who was hidden well enough to not attend residential school. these pay homage to my father, who in a way tried to hide me from my culture, maybe afraid because of the pain and trauma it brought to him in his life. wanting me to grow and thrive in spite of colonial evils.

this work is meant to be a testament against all acts of genocide, that no matter how many of us you manage to eradicate, there will always be more of us. we will always be hidden away and protected, we will always return. 

Indigenous sacredness is forever and ever, and colonial evils will never truly win.

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this project was funded by an arts grant from the First Peoples Cultural Council 

these hang approx 13-14 inches long. made with about 150 different types of beads each, including charlotte cut 24k gold and sterling silver, 24k gold lined opal beads, glow in the dark toho beads, vintage beads, miyuki beads and czech beads, as well as numerous different types of crystals. each pair took approximately 30-40 hours to complete, made entirely by hand with no pattern, just one bead carefully placed at a time. 

these are each inspired by specific NASA Webb telescope imagery of nebulas. 

*i respectfully and humbly ask that you please do not copy these specific pieces*

about each pair:

hîsen : sockeye salmon swimming through the Eagle Nebula. salmon are wonderful intelligent beings who generously share themselves with us and keep our ecosystem rich and healthy. this pair of earrings imagines the evolution of sockeye salmon, expanding throughout time before us and after us, sharing their gifts and teachings with our Ancestors and our grandchildren. floating through time and space, sockeye salmon beings are eternal. these are 12 inches long.

bald eagle in eagle nebula - this pair is inspired by eagle, who is said to be the spiritual messenger, closest to creator because of how high they fly.  this pair hangs about 15 inches and depicts ’íksduqʷia flying through the eagle nebula.

ḡaax̄ raven in witch head nebula - this pair is about ḡaax̄ raven, and is inspired by trickster energy. raven often symbolizes the unknown, the complexity of truth and mystery.. the teachings that come from making mistakes or getting into trouble. the power of speaking your truth.  this envisions ḡaax̄ flying through the witch head nebula, embracing trickster energy and building up it’s mysterious powers.

dény̓as red cedar tree in the Carina Nebula or cosmic cliffs. this is the star forming region in the Carina Nebula - I thought because cedar is known as the tree of life, the place where many stars are born would be fitting for cedar to live. these earrings pay homage to how integral the cedar tree is to our physical and spiritual health, by offering shelter, weaving, smudging, healing, and protecting us. these imagine cedar beings flying through helping everything grow and thrive.

qulún beaver in the Lagoon nebula. this piece pays tribute to the beaver, which symbolizes hard work and persistence, adapting to it’s environment and being creative and resourceful. i chose to put the qulún beaver in the lagoon nebula as it seemed fitting.

Hélx̄'inix̄ʷ - killer whale in the Orion nebula.  killer whale is said to symbolize family and protection, and sometimes it is said that seeing a killer whale means a loved one who has passed on is visiting you or communicating with you in some way.  i chose the orion nebula because i read that there is water vapour found in that nebula and i imagined that’s where the killer whale would swim.

záxʷen oolichan in the fish head nebula. oolichan are a traditional food source for us, they are a small oily delicious fish that sustained us during the winter months. i imagined these little oolichans swimming through the fish head nebula providing nourishment and life as they go.

xʷéldekʷ fire in the flame nebula. sacred fire inspo, burning inspo.. smudging, burning spirit plates, burning a sacred fire. living and breathing beyond time, protecting and cleansing us, started by our Ancestors and tended to by our descendants, forever and ever and since time immemorial.

you can also check out my artist talk about this project on youtube: