nínwiʔs ɬwikntsn (I Will See You Again)

𝘯í𝘯𝘸𝘪ʔ𝘴 ɬ𝘸𝘪𝘬𝘯𝘵𝘴𝘯 (𝘐 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘚𝘦𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯), 2024, 𝘰𝘪𝘭 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘭, 22"𝘹30"
This painting explores the familial ties that bind me to the Okanaga Salish. In the Nsəlxcin language, they do not say “good bye,” but rather “I will see you again.” Drawing upon the profound cultural significance of the Salmon as a lifeblood to the Salish, my painting serves as a visual ode to the enduring strength and vitality found within ourselves and our communities. Through vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and layers of symbolism, I seek to evoke the timeless rhythms of nature and the deeply rooted traditions that shape our collective identity.

As the salmon navigate the currents of rivers and streams, so too do we navigate the currents of our own lives, confronting challenges, celebrating triumphs, and forging connections that transcend time and space. Like the salmon returning to their ancestral spawning grounds, may we too find our way home—to ourselves, to each other, and to the interconnected web of life that sustains us all.