“When The Earth Cries Out” by Beany John

Beany John

Beany John embodies the Two Spirit shapeshifter: dancer and storyteller. As a multidisciplinary artist, Beany is continually inspired and motivated to influence Indigenous people to feel validated and strong: “We manifest the royalty of our ancestors before contact, the righteous stewards of the land. If every Indigenous person were to reclaim their Indigeneity, it would be a reawakening. When The Earth Cries Out is an expression of our Mother Earth calling out the destruction human beings have brought upon her. It’s up to us to hear and listen.” – Beany John

Beany John was intended to be a part of our day-long Indigenous Brilliance event at the 2020 Growing Room Literary and Arts Festival, but instead we’re happy to share Beany’s storytelling through dancing here. You can support more of our artists and contributors by ordering the 44.1 Growing Room issue online, and watch this space as we share more content from contributors to the Growing Room 44.1 issue all throughout the month of March.

Beany John is a Two Spirit shapeshifter, storyteller, and dancer. She is Taino and Cree from Kehewin, Alberta. She is a Grass Dancer, Hoop Dancer, and traditional artisan. Beany has been teaching Hoop Dance to youth across Canada since 2004.

Pre-Order Our Next Issue

ROOM 47.2 Seedpod
“Maple keys are built by nature like helicopter blades, which allows them to propel as far as possible from the mother maple… In these pages, we see the brave, touching, true ways we, too, must embrace the fear and the excitement that comes with leaving where we are rooted.”

Currently on Newsstands

ROOM 47.2 UTOPIA
Join Room and Augur in the gleaming, unwritten future with our utopia issue. Featuring new poetry by Larissa Lai and an interview with Whitney French.

Join us on Patreon

Become a RoomMate

Seeking members who love literature, events, merchandise, and supporting marginalized creators.


Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to know about contests, calls for submissions, upcoming events.

* indicates required
Share This