Two Things

Trembling Aspen | Series 04_My Life Here | Issue_02

The first thing I'm so excited to tell you about.

My mom has started doing abstract paintings. She is 95. For the first time in her life ever, she is trying abstract painting. Once again, to be clear, at 95 years of age. On my last night in Yokohama, Theo and I were in a ホルモン (horumon) restaurant talking about family and going home. I told Theo about my Mom doing abstract paintings for the first time...at the age of 95. (Have I mentioned that lately?)

There was a pregnant pause, as we gnawed on our respective pieces of beef parts. Then Theo said, “Steve. You know. When you re-open KocoGarden, you should do an exhibition of your Mom’s art work.”  

Yes. 

So that’s happening. When I get back to Yokohama, the first thing I’ll be doing is mounting an exhibition of my Mom’s art work in KocoGarden.

The second thing I'm so excited to tell you about.

I wrote about Mosaic not too long ago, how I was returning home a bit early so I could be part of Mosaic's very last gathering before it shut down. At the end of that gathering I learned the community has entrusted me with our community talking stick, carved by our Indigenous Elder, Patrick Delorme.

I was shocked, surprised, delighted...all the things. (Ask Janina, she said my reaction was pretty funny.) It’s taken me a while to absorb it. I wasn’t sure I could post a picture of the talking stick, because I didn't know what the protocols were. Indigenous communities typically have protocols about things like songs, and stories and sacred objects. Who can see them, hear them, use them. Sacred objects are treated with great care. Since talking with Marvin, and hearing Janina and Silas share stories about Patrick and the talking stick, I now understand that as keeper of the talking stick I am carrying forward the spirit of our community's circle protocols, so whether to post a picture or not is my decision to make. That sort of made my head explode.

Patrick, as an Elder, had the freedom to shape our community’s protocols as he saw fit. One of the over riding principles was a spirit of generosity. His given name was Eagle Spirit Warrior. His fierce spirit and commitment to reconciliation are carried in the talking stick. Me bringing it to Japan is a testament to the deep forgiving wisdom of the Indigenous Elders passed down to Patrick, and now to me. I am humbled and honoured. 

Marvin (our community’s current Indigenous Elder) and Bear (our community’s current Indigenous artist-in-residence) are super excited at the stick going to Yokohama. (I happened to bump into Marvin downtown the other day. Based on that exchange I feel quite comfortable saying he's super excited.)

I brought the Enso Quilt to Yokohama to convene circles.* Strangely, after eight months, it hadn't happened yet. Now I understand why. The Enso Quilt was waiting for the talking stick. Now they are complete.

I am super excited to get back to Yokohama and to host KocoGarden's first ever full on talking circle.

*In the past, when I convened a circle and there were no Indigenous folks present, I would call it a listening circle, not a talking circle. This was out of respect for Indigenous Brother and Sisters and their traditions. The community talking stick and its protocols allows me to convene a full on talking circle. It might seem like a little thing to quibble over, using one word rather than the other, but respect for Elders and traditions is one of the pieces of Indigenous wisdom that has worked its way into my soul. I consider it a very good thing to quibble over.

My participation in the Koganecho Artist in Residence program, the art work I create while here, including this newsletter, were all made possible by members of The Mycelium Council through their financial and soul support. If you enjoyed this issue please consider joining.