b'COVER STORYMEDICINE LINES OFWOMANHOODBy Bryan HansenONWAs MMIWG Commemorative Art Project transforms personal grief into collective strengthIngrid Green, ONWA Director of Research & Evaluation (left), and Monique DesRosiers, ONWA Indigenous Womens Leadership Coordinator (right).Photo credit: Kathleen Steele.T he Medicine Lines of WomanhoodMMIWGONWA hosted the first public exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Commemorative Art Project, an initiative by theGallery from May 5 to May 14, 2023, followed by exhibitions in Ontario Native Womens Association (ONWA),Ottawa, Kenora and Sioux Lookout. Through virtual gatherings serves as a profound space for healing andand support from Elders and art therapists, participants formed remembrance for families and loved ones affected by Missingdeep connections, sharing stories of loved ones lost to violence and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). Theand finding solace in the normalization of collective healing. project brought together a network of survivors, families andInitially delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the project friends of MMIWG, art therapy helpers, grief counsellors andshifted to virtual meetings via Zoom, shares Ingrid Green, Knowledge Keepers to create art pieces in commemorationONWAs director of research & evaluation and member of Lac of their respective loved ones. The goal of Medicine Lines ofSeul First Nation. Despite challenges, the importance of not Womanhood was not only to create a healing space, but alsomissing out on opportunities, especially given the critical nature to raise awareness about MMIWG through story and artwork.of the initiative, cannot be overstated.24Spring/Summer 2024'