b"LESSONS LEARNEDIt came naturally to me, she says. I think about how our ancestors painted on rock faces, like the petroglyphs. That was really exciting for me as well, to connect to that aspect of my identity. I loved being able to represent Anishinaabe culture in that way. The act of painting wall-sized murals across the city core in a big way was like [saying] Were here and our story is still alive! This is our traditional territory, but when I was walking down the street, I felt that our identity was very obscure, says the Indigenous artist. It was a way of accessing ancestral knowledge and sharing it, but I was combining that with a more graphic style, with dark outlines and bright colours becauseTitled New Moon, this painted hand drum reflects the importance of the natural world in Chief Lady Bird's workI feel like a lot of people see Indigenous people as being historical, but were here. WeMOVING HOME weeks, and then weeks turned into months. I also do have a very deep ancestral connec- For nine years Chief Lady Bird workedhad always thought Id be coming back, but I tion; its still very much alive through ourmainly in downtown Toronto, and she wasalways thought Id be coming back to start a stories, our songs, our art practice. still in residence there when COVID-19family and build a house. What I had thought Another big part of my art practice,struck this past winter. At the time, she waswould be my plan wasnt working: maybe my continues Chief Lady Bird, is lookingexperiencing a sad period in her personal life,spirits were telling me it isnt time.at what our future will be, how well useand when things shut down, my family was our knowledge of the land and how ourlike Were coming to get you! she says. Now, at 27, Chief Lady Bird finds herself languages connect us to the land and ourinstalled in a brand-new studio and produ-So she relocated back to Rama: A lot ofcing her artwork from the heart of her home people and our future. Im always aboutvery big, challenging things were happeningcommunity. I did live in Toronto for nine survival. Those are the main concepts that Iinside my little apartment; it made sense to beyears, but at the same time my hearts always touch on. with my family. It was supposed to be a fewbeen back here in Rama, she says. I feel happier here than when I was in the city. In a way I did love the pace. In my high heels and my cute blazer, I felt like I could be more myself, but coming home is goodI can really see all the love. My community welcomed me back.Initially, Chief Lady Bird was working in her parents dining room, where she was unable to spread out and leave projects in place from one day to the next. It was her brother who suggested she should build a separate studio. Family members came together to help erect and finish a prefab shed. On the topic of COVID, Chief Lady Bird foresees some worldwide benefits as the world recovers: Its forcing us to re-examine how our society operates. I feel like were going to be focusing more locally, supporting smaller and local businesses, taking it from this big global lens to our immediate communities, because well really have to look after each other. Were caring more for our neighbours, which isnt a bad thing.Another effect of the pandemic has been to remove distractions because of the time spent with families and in isolation from normal routines. As a result, there is a hope that everyone may come out of this stronger. Says Chief Lady Bird: My perception of love and empathy and compassion has expanded a bit, One of Chief Lady Bird's striking creations: a painting titled Remember and I feel a lot more hopeful than before.Ontario Native Womens Association33"