When we gathered in July, it was a small group, and our time was spent in states of creative and metaphoric reflection. We also gave space to emotional responses working with current events through our ongoing purpose of facing truth. With the twin circumstances of denialists attempting to dig up children’s remains at Tk’emlúps and colonial governments refusing to excavate Winnipeg landfills to search for remains of Indigenous women believed to be there, we witnessed the bleakness of Indigenous experiences in Canada. This gave pause and also purpose, knowing that most will either avoid, gloss over, or even affirm the dehumanization in evidence. As people dedicated to decolonizing intentions, we must linger and remain open, even as it brings up grief, anxiety, and even visceral terror at the nature of the society in which we live, work and dream.

Collectively, we have many sources for sustaining the personal strength required to do the ongoing work of challenging colonial mindsets and structures. It was heartwarming and empowering to hear each participant share names of Indigenous people they feel supported by, whether through personal relationships or writers who inspire them. May we continue to learn and connect in a good way over the coming year, supporting one another to grow paths and momentum for decolonization against barriers that arise.

Working with a short and flexible artistic prompt, each participant created initial visual metaphors for their journey in decolonization, and then added another layer after further conversation. The third step in the process was generating the collective layered version above, presenting one synthesis of the memory of our conversation. Hopefully each person can sense if not see the presence of their contribution to the whole. One image was not included since it was only shared privately not with the full group. It would have added a floating dead fish, a common sight in the over-warm waters of July. This contribution reminds us that even when skies are clear in a season of abundance, we should carry the thread of intention to make a difference not just for the Indigenous people who suffer within societal denial, but also for plant and animal relatives who equally need our care and concern.