We have an opportunity every day to use our art, our words, and our actions to share authentic narratives. We are so proud to share our TIFO banner created with the MNWonderwall as part of the MN UFC Allianz Native American Heritage Night.
The MNWonderwall and MN United are embracing Native Heritage Night with their partners at Mille Lacs and this year we got to Zaasaakwe for these amazing folks dancing and singing on the field.
We want to always be pushing the boundaries. Our We are on Native Land TIFO from 2023 spurred conversations, raised funds, and won awards! Where to go from there?
At Heart Berry we are known for our Ojibwe florals, sharing about food, medicines, and connections for our good life. We share these with the world. We love modeling how community organizing, giving back, and collaboration can happen in innovative ways. Normally we wouldn't connect tribal sovereignty, soccer, and painting.. But we love them all and so we did.
The MN Wonderwall is an incredible trio of volunteer fan organizations who MAKE the games as exciting as they are while educating, raising funds, and cheering our team. The incredible leadership of Anthony Mazaro brings together these giant TIFO banners that unfurl as a surprise four times a year right as the game starts. This year's 45 x 60 foot hand painted banner was a true community feat.
As the artist and designer I take the concept from pencil to computer. Friday night we go down, unroll some TYVEK, project this art and get to tracing. Our amazing youth volunteers helped us nail down the trace art. Saturday more volunteers roll in to paint all day to get this HUGE banner completed.
Why loons? Where I live we can hear the Maang (loon) mama and families talk to each other every night. They raise their babies and call to each other. In this time on our planet with the war on Palestine, the endless assault on Black Lives, the need for affirming care for our Two Spirit/LGBTQ+relatives, and attempts to eliminate our Tribal Nationhood and sovereignty I feel it is the time to continue to hold our narratives up high. As artists we have a responsibility to turn a mirror on the world. As an Anishinaabekwe it is my responsibility to center Ojibwe narratives.
If my voice could carry the way a loon does what could I call for?
As tribal nations that predate the United States we are Inherently Sovereign. We were not GIVEN sovereignty just as we were not GIVEN treaty rights. We already had sovereignty and those rights. We Kept them. Every effort has been made to destroy our access to our land bases, treaty rights, and erode our sovereignty. We continue to fight for our inherent tribal sovereignty and right to our own government, our own way of being, and our existence.
Want to know what else is sovereign? Our bodies. In these wild days of the US politics we need to be vigiliant to protect our right to our bodily sovereignty.
We are exercising our economic sovereignty at Heart Berry is through our Scholarship in 2025. We are raising funds through our SovereignT to gift a student seeking higher education in 2025.
Solidarity shining light across communities, intersectionality, and listening to the struggles of others. Solidarity shining light on the genocide happening over land in Palestine. Justice shining light on the endless assault on Black Lives. And Equity shining a light on access to gender affirming care for our Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ relatives.
Your voice carries. What are you calling for?
-Giizh
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