I was born Indigenous but raised Canadian. Apprehended at birth family found me at 24 y/o. Im a survivor. I've walked both paths, Cnd & Mikmaq. But I AM a proud Indigenous woman. We tried to tell you. Now you have the proof you needed so take action & join us across the country
Let me tell you what's wrong with me. I am a descendant of parents who were beaten by nuns, I was taken at birth and passed around by a cruel system. I have experienced trauma I hope you never experience. Wtf is wrong with you?
Since Fiona-the 1st hit, I've lost my fur baby, car hit my home, many deaths within the community incl my sister in Feb. I didn't wait & sought out help for mental health last fall. Hardest battle in 30yrs. But the storm is clearing & starting to feel ready for life again
P.E.I.'s Patricia Bourque's photography was featured in Canadian Geographic Magazine’s Indigenous Voices 2021 edition.
“It’s such an honour;" says Bourque.
Abegweit First Nation, Chief Gould and staff, created a beautiful way to honor the children found in Kamloops
#BC
RIP Angels. And all the others still waiting to be brought home, & those who will never be found. May you rest & your families find peace.
I'm about to toss hundreds of dollars worth of food today. This hurts so much. Growing up poor we weren't allowed to waste food. My heart breaks for those who simply can't replace any.
my adopting dad had this painted when they first got me. I have no baby pictures. Taken from my mother at birth, foster care for 2 years then joined a family another 2 years before they split. Only true connection I have is the land of Epekwitk.
#60sScoop
This is me, my morning coffee on my first day of work. I have a job! A meaningful purposeful job. My 2 week booster anniversary so I'm fully vac.
2022 is hopeful🙏🏽
I'm taking a break from Twitter to protect my mental health, it's become perfectly clear it's become a very toxic, negative place & that stuff is contagious. I wish you all a very healthy, happy 2022
Thank you all. I had a mild breakdown tonight, but it was healing tears. Thank you my beautiful cousin
@karlabernardmla
for allowing me to cry on your shoulder. I will dust myself off for another day. I still ❤️ Epekwitk
I'm happy to report it's closed in before the storm. The contractor worked on it last night and all day today 🙏🏾
1st step in a few but I'll take it. Next is getting electricity back on. Then I can go home... Then work begins inside
1 light portrait is a challenge especially when I don't practice,but with Wyonna I'm brave enough to get out and do it. I had a good weekend break, which allows me to create. So we'll see when I get out again.
#PEI
#portraitphotography
#Mikmaq
#ArtIsWork
I don't want one of your boring license plates. I want a Mikmaq designed one just for us the L'nu, the people of the land. I will keep bringing this up
@dennyking
if NS can have them then so can Epekwitk!
Not to brag, but I just did a road trip to the north shore, got a walk in before the snow. It's a little luxury I gave myself. Gift of time & peace. Relearning to take care of me first.
amazing conversations being had on PEI regarding masks. Last 24 hrs on my travels between Lennox & Charlottetown retails, 99% are wearing them still. I started wearing b4 mandatory but out of fear & safety, now it's out of respect for workers in public & plain common sense🦋
couple of wks ago I had to tighten my online circle-No regrets! I feel such a diff this week, everyday I feel happier. I unfollowed the politics, kept health at a min & in my own terms. Work-walks-my camera, That's all I have room for, for now-until all this insanity calms down.
Seeing people complaining, I'm glad it's mandatory. It was mandatory to learn your language, history for 12 yrs, & okay to learn all the lies regarding Indigenous in Cnd. Get over it 🙄
Well, I'll be the first to admit I have fear, anxiety but I trust in science and in the Universe for providing me an opportunity to protect myself.
#3
done💉✅
I appreciate the province asking me to photograph the events for the 1st
#TruthandReconciliationDay
but I said no, I'm not ready mentally, emotionally, I choose to have a quiet self care day.
some GOOD NEWS...the 2021 Indigenous Voices issue came out by
@CanGeo
and I could not be more excited or proud...
#Epekwitk
#PEI
#Mikmaq
being well represented by Wyonna, and the late great Margaret Bernard, First Chief, (& only woman) Chief of the Abegweit First Nation 1972.
Students standing at the Lennox island day school. My Father and Mother attended, and both in this image🧡🧡🧡some would later attend Shubie Res school. Innocence lost
#TruthandReconciliationDay
#PEI
#Mikmaq
So....how's your day going? Grateful nobody was hurt, I wasn't home when it happened. Mini vacation for a couple of days at a hotel until I'm allowed back in. Gratitude for the army of people came to my rescue & all the Angel's watching over me🙏🏾
I think it's time to show off my own pride, been working on projects on the weekends...prepare to have your timeline filled with L'nu, with amazing Mi'kmaw people!
There's a few wigwams standing on Epekwitk. They are still standing, surrounded by the fallen trees all around them. And people wonder how we have survived over 12,000 years.
Was I the only one in the room, or even listening when the scientist & Doctors said the vaccine won't prevent you from getting Covid, but it will HELP keep you out of the hospital.
It is with pride & honour to announce I’ve been accepted to the
@banffcentre
indigenous mixed media arts 101
I will be attending in a couple of weeks, so lots of posts coming up until Feb🌲🏔📸
I waited a very long time to have an opportunity to do this. I travelled to the Yukon, wished for travel ops...and the Ancestors danced in my back yard
#Epekwitk
#PEI
Dream came true for me, to be directly under. Magical night
I'm not sure who the guy was in the white truck at the Wendy's by the Hillsboro bridge but thank you for paying for lunch. that act of kindness will be paid for it I promise you just made my Monday so much better
#PEI
FYI...I started with literally everything taken from me, been oppressed my whole life. I'm not afraid any longer. Cancel culture doesn't scare me anymore. I speak truths now. I speak my heart now...have a great weekend ✊🏽
That red sky this morning, had to break out the big camera to capture that color just right. Sometimes cell phones won't do. Something about a beautiful sky on a Monday morning, helps.
Self defense classes, how to protect your drinks, don't dress a certain way...I've heard it all, but I've never heard, just don't hurt women has never crossed my desk.
System designed by men to keep men superior. Think about that
So many of us just tweet into this abyss. Most times I think I'm invisible, freeing me to toss out thoughts. Never would I have believed so many would throw me a lifeline of support & kindness, nor did I think I had needed it. I'm not alone, I matter, & I'm not invisible. I❤️PEI
Proud to say, my piece See'er has found it's home in our new Premier of
#PEI
office
@dennyking
See'er is a piece I did from my first solo gallery show called "My Two World's". Model's name is Kindra Bernard, from the
@AbegweitMikmaq
community of Scotchfort.
I will never judge you for not having life experiences, such as poverty and everything that goes along with that. But don't judge me for being poor, for all the experiences that goes hand in hand with poverty. I've seen the looks of judgment my whole life. Tired of it.
I only started speaking my mind, because for 50 years I wasn't allowed. I no longer have anything to loose or have anything to take. A woman becomes very strong when she has to be.
What an amazing week, yes I say that every year. Pushing-believing-loving myself. I'm grateful for the people I've met bc of
@DaveBrosha
&
@offbeat_photo
I'd like to share 1 img from this week...Wyonna Bernard of Abegweit FN. Thank you Cuz, Thank you everyone📸
#PEI
#Epekwitk
I was able to take my daughter met up with 2 more friends of hers in Summerside, I'm so glad we got to experience this once in a life time event.
It was surreal, it felt dream like looking around during totality. Dream like, other worldly. Felt total peace.
I just kept saying WOW, Abegweit First Nation, Mowiomi, well done! Grand Entry was today at 1pm in Scotchfort
#PEI
all are welcomed, no alcohol/drug event.
@AbegweitMikmaq
well done. Biggest turn out, well organized, was a great vibe. My heart is full 💜
The community fridge, is just 1 issue our community is facing. you need to see it in person, face the people lining up who need food. Premier
@dennyking
go there. Bring 4 bags & see how fast it goes. It will change you, I suspect change how you handle food insecurities on
#PEI
Hey
@PhilipBrownPEI
Residential school survivors told you how they feel, 60's Scoop Survivors have told you how they feel, Our Mi'kmaq Chiefs spoke, but none of that seems to matter. Who/what does it sound better coming from?
I heard on CBC Island Morning today that
@PhilipBrownPEI
wants to hear from residents their thoughts on the John A statue. So please take a moment & let him know that people want it removed NOW. mayor
@charlottetown
.ca
I'm seeing many yards that, well continued with the no mow may theme, with the price of gas it's expected-it's not a necessity. So the
@ChtownPE
should chill out with the bylaw enforcements/fines. That 10-20 of gas needs to go in the car or food. bigger issues to focus on.
Yesterday on Stanhope beach, a woman decided to rant ugly racist thoughts in front of some of my family, included a were lots of native children. I’m so angry they had to witness this ugliness. In her rant she was so glad the John A statue was still up.
So, I've been on social media for awhile, joined Twitter back in April of 2009. My own account. No complaints & gained over 2K followers and I hope made a few smiles along the way. Thank you to each and every person who has supported and stuck by me.
My beautiful
#RibbonSkirts
made by Tiffany Plain, of "Sacred Ribbons". I commissioned Her for 1, but then the 2nd in a raffle. My first Ribbon skirts🙏🏾
In 1912, Jim Thorpe, American Indian, had his running shoes stolen the morning of his Olympic track & field events. He found this mismatched pair of shoes in the garbage and ran in them to win two Olympic gold medals that day.
A reminder to me, passion is more important.
To all the Women Warriors, unseen, working against all odds to make each day count, working hard for your families, communities. I see you. Wela'lin to each of you.
#IWD2022
Everyone rushing out to eat out tonight, that's kind of defeating the purpose of this shut down...kind of like when everyone rushed the bridge before Xmas. All seems a little odd.
Well in other news, I won a pair of snowshoes & gave them a whirl today. 40mins! Not since gr 6 have I been on a pair, what a glorious day to not waste my life & ya if I had to I'd wear a mask out here too, which I've done bc wind is cold y'all hurts my damaged lungs.
Hey
#PEI
we need to talk about social distancing, you're not doing it. My social anxiety & you breathing down my neck don't go well together. You're a stranger to me, don't stand so damn close. wela'lin
You know what gets me,
@AnneTheSeries
tried to cover the story around residential schools &
#Canada
opposed & it got cancelled. We keep getting swept under the rug out of sight because we make you too uncomfortable. We can't stop being who we are. We're not going anywhere.