"Helping One Another - Protecting Our Queer Space" (2024) Sarah Rhude

Sarah Rhude, Mi’kmaq
4’X4’
Acrylic on Cradle Board

     Every year I go to Algonquin territory, to my favourite place on earth- Eagle Lake, with my sister. I stay in the water as much as I can, visit with loons and plant medicines that surround us. In this place I feel embodied. During a difficult time this summer I retreated to my studio, listened to podcasts and just painted. When I stepped back and looked at what came through the painting, the knowledge revealed was clear. 

     This is Gwimu/loon defending their territory with their wide spread body. Soft front, Strong back. Gwimu/loon is surrounded by the special medicines that came to us this summer: chanterelles, sweetgrass, cattails, water lily and ghost pipe- all rooted and connected. While we remain open and welcoming, I was taught by the plants and animals that we must also protect those at the center of our community. I also learned this summer that I am included in that center and deserving of love, protection. At Aunty Collective we are a space that continually works to center and celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ women and youth. All are welcome if they hold us at the center. We aim to meet people where they are at in their journey whether that be in their Indigeneity, sexuality, gender, neurodiversity, and relationship with substances. We are a Queer space in every sense of the word. Underneath the painting are written the words:

“Queer' not as being about who you're having sex with (that can be a dimension of it); but 'queer' as being about the self that is at odds with everything around it and that has to invent and create and find a place to speak and to thrive and to live.”  ― bell hooks

This piece is a collaboration between myself, my ancestors, human and more than human relations. 

Mi’kmaq/English words surrounding the painting:

Left: Nu’gwa’luejgewei, Lgetue’get, Root
Right: ika/tu, Kaqtikew, Weleiwatl, Spirit
Bottom: Wjipt?ski, Masgwi, Meni’gwet, Samqwan
Top: Gwimu, igalatl, um’tgi, etltesing, sad

Left: Cattail, gather mushrooms, Root
Right: Let it go/put it here, Thunder, take good care of, Spirit
Bottom: Roots, white birch, strip off bark, water
Top: Loon, protect/defend/fight for/take side of/favour, territory/land/homeland, where one got stuck/where one got injured, sad