b'LESSONS LEARNEDHOME and HEARTBy Sarah B. HoodCOVID brings artist Chief Lady Bird back to herroots in an unexpected wayG lobally, the COVID-19hurts me, says Chief Lady Bird. But hershe moved to Toronto to study at the Ontario pandemic has acted as aown experience, which has opened up herCollege of Art & Design University. Upon catalyst in many ways,working life while bringing her back into hergraduation, she launched a freelance career bringing dynamic changehome community, has been profound. Itthat included book illustration, digital prints to individuals and busi- was a very big, beautiful lesson that I learnedand large-scale outdoor murals through 7th nesses. For Chippewa and Potawatomi visualthough this process. The pandemic is scary,Generation Image Makers, a Toronto-based artist Chief Lady Bird, it has acted like a fast- but at the same time it was almost like itinterdisciplinary arts and media program. forward switch, prompting her to make deci- forced me to make my way.sions and take actions that might not other-wise have come about for several years. Chief Lady Bird (her spirit name as well as A lot of people died, and a lot of peopleher professional name) was born in Rama will suffer long-term effects from this. AsFirst Nation and developed a strong connec-someone who really loves humanity, thattion to visual art as a child. At the age of 18, 32Fall/Winter 2020'