In this episode of the Indigenous Brilliance podcast, jaye and Karmella chat about all things Halloween. This episode is full of tricks and treats, featuring discussions of our favourite scary movies and reading recommendations. Decolonizing pumpkins as a sovereign and sacred Indigenous plant, reading a spoopy short story by jaye simpson, you won’t want to miss this festive episode.
Featured Artwork:
An especially exciting treat in this episode is our featured cover art by @moe.butterfly.art , as well as two featured original Halloween songs by hoodie browns and Lexi Mellish Mingo.
Moe Butterfly (he/they) is an Onödowa’ga:’ Turtle Clan, 2-Spirit artist with a wide array of beautiful, sacred illustrations available for viewing and purchase online. Their artwork “Sky Woman Power Print” is featured in issue 44.3 Indigenous Brilliance, currently available for purchase. As well, Moe’s 2-Spirit pumpkin pendleton ghost is featured on the cover of this episode in celebration of a Happy Indigiqueer Halloween!
Both of the musicians featured in this episode are local to the unceded Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil Waututh territories. They are both Black femmes (and real life East Vancouver neighbours) who make amazing music and offer so much to community through their art and presence.
Bios:
Lexi Mellish Mingo is a multi-disciplinary artist living and creating on the unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam Nations. Descending from both Afro-Guyanese, English and Scottish ancestry, her work is inspired by the complexity of diasporic experiences, and the process of place making, through community collaboration and dialogue. You can find Lexi on instagram @swagityanne
Spooky Street by Lexi Mellish Mingo:
Hoodie Browns, she/her pronouns, Ethiopian settler, specifically of Amhara/Tigray and Oromo descent, born & raised on traditional & unceded territories of the SENĆOŦEN, Malchosen, Lkwungen, Semiahmoo and T’Sou-ke-speaking peoples. Currently living on traditional & unceded territories of the Halq’eméylem, hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking peoples. Hoodie believes that there is power in knowing your language & history and taking charge of your own wellness in a society that institutionalizes the opposite. What she looks to do is to provide an opportunity for everyone to take a moment to hold themselves and see what movement comes up in stillness, reclaiming humanity that was stolen from us all, most especially for queer BIPOC folks. You can find hoodie on instagram @hoodiebrowns
no funeral by hoodie browns:
you don’t know me,
don’t please me, never cared
you were just a stranger
like a ghost i stood, but wasn’t there
here lies the memory
of our dearly departed romance
safe burns all the letters
that you left behind with your fragrance
but this ain’t a grave, it’s a crime scene
so why did i bring all these flowers?
you won’t pay your respects, so just let me
cuz baby, you cut out my heart
and buried it, no funeral
spoke no words of grieving
but you dressed up in black anyway
your hand felt wrong in mine, but
it fit the glove just the same
told me i’m a painting
and everything else is the frame
but now i’m just a window,
you shattered me & saw through my pane
cuz this ain’t a grave, it’s a crime scene
so why did i bring all these flowers?
you won’t pay your respects, so just let me
cuz baby, you cut out my heart
and buried it, no funeral
Episode 8:
Check out episode 7 on Soundcloud, coming to more platforms soon!
Full podcast transcription coming soon.
Festive reading recommendations:
Mycelium Ghost by Jessica Johns
Hunting By Stars (A Marrow Thieves Novel) by Cherie Dimaline
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubheshig Rice
Don’t forget to purchase your copy of issue 44.3 Indigenous Brilliance if you haven’t already! And join us on Saturday November 6th, 2pm pst for our official 44.3 online launch event. Click here for registration.
Thanks for tuning in, and we wish you a Happy and safe Halloween.
Team 44.3, Indigenous Brilliance.
