b"COVER STORYgives us life but it also holds the life of the Earth in its midst. Its like it is holding it with its arms around everything. Today, it is up to humans to keep the planets water clean for generations to come. Thats a big responsibility to have. Thats why there are people out there doing water walks or fighting for the water, their lands, and territoriesfighting against big multinational corporations in David and Goliath scenarios, says Belcourt. They do it even if they are going to lose because they have to. They feel a responsibility for the coming genera-tions and the beauty of this world.Giniigaaniimenaaning (Looking Ahead), a stained-glass window commissioned for the House of Commons at Parliament Hill, demonstrates how Belcourt sees responsibility for the coming generations and the beauty of this world. Giniigaaniimenaaning tells the story of Indigenous peoples in Canada, depicting a drum dancer sounding the beginning of healing. In this work, Belcourt hopes for transformation and healing through dance, ceremony, languages and resilience into the present day. We draw upon the spiritual and healing knowledge of our people to understand how to move forward in these precarious times. For Belcourt, transformation and healing come at individual, family, community, tribal council and nation levels. At the nationhood level, she says, when each nation decides to exercise their sovereignty on the land, they begin to push back on Canadas claim over their territories.For millennia, Indigenous peoples managed viable ecosystems on their lands under their laws and jurisdictions, with cultures, ceremonies Belcourt's intricate artwork drew the attention of fashion house Valentino and sheand languages intact. Our people have always collaborated with them on a runway collection featuring her designs understood how to make sure everything is kept in have healing powers and some are used in ceremony. Each plant, notes Belcourt, has a spirit. As human beings, were on a spiritual journey as much as we are on a physical journey. Our spirits need nurturing from Mother Earth for us to thrive, she says as she reflects about My Heart is Beautiful. When we forget that, we destroy things. Our actions result in climate change, adds Belcourt, where by putting all species at risk, we risk ourselves as well. LIFE-GIVING WATERIn 2015, another of Belcourt's stunningcreations,Water Song, even inspired a Maison Valentino fashion line. The Italian fashion house reached out to Belcourt, and together they collaborated on dresses for Valentinos Resort 2016 collection. Water holds life. Water is alive. It holds life and it is life, says the artist about Water Song. It Ontario Native Womens Association13"