Cheryl began creating “Water” at an annual conference that included scientists, First Nations representatives from Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, watershed managers, prairie water organizations, and Saskatchewan farmers. Insights on impactful water and environmental changes were provided from scientific studies and models, and land-based knowledge. Thank you to Elder Roland Duquette for granting consent to symbolize the medicine wheel within this artwork and smudging it.
The painting is a transparent collage of geography from south to north Saskatchewan creating many layers of meaning. Your interpretation of this artwork is unique and important because of your own experience with Water, spend a minute with the painting before reading Cheryls concepts:
The snow on top of baby: Elder Roland Duquette spoke about how snow insulates like a blanket to protect the life beneath it, how the plants under snow turn over periodically to feel the weight of snow, and when to push up. In this painting, the snow is Water’s protective blanket, and the baby can turn underneath as the snow melts. As the globe warms and snow melts, water will push up.
The Water baby is Water as a whole entity, and, the gift of life itself. Water needs respect, care, cleanliness, freedom to exist, to flourish, and naturally evolve. Half the Water is underground (prairie groundwater). I referenced “Fetus in the Womb… Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” – Leonardo da Vinci, 1511
The (red) buffalo hoof print in the middle of the circle, the horizontal earth line, the vertical precipitation line, and the baby’s chest resemble the shape of human lungs. Millions of hoofs pounded their own waste, carcasses, and plants and formed the rich soil we still grow food in, eat from, drink from, and breathe today. The hoof print reverberates mass destruction of natural ecosystems. It is placed in the baby’s heart in reverence, gratitude, and as a core reminder of the need for balance and respect.
The “quilted” farmland repeats the blanket concept atop the snow. The land blanket combines caring and nurturing Water (baby) with the need for food production. For prairie ecosystems to survive, food production must co-exist with water, allowing Water to move, and live, unpolluted.
The handshake honors agreements, relationships, and land-based knowledge. Networking across all sectors, communities, and cultures, spreading the word on respect for Water. Working to uphold positive relationships with Water. Honoring people, countries, and organizations guided by responsible relationships with land, Water, and animals.
The Saskatchewan Legislature and balance scales speak about Water being weightier than money, the weight of big business controlling water decisions at higher (and lower) levels, and a need for balance supported by law. Water needs rights just as humans.