This video features a short clip of the full 11 minute animation that was projected in downtown Duluth, MN. With images of the Grandmother moon (Nokomis), fire, earth, water, and the jingle dress dance entwined in swirling colors, the piece will explore themes of homecoming and finding connection within ourselves to Ojibwe culture, to ancestors, and to nature, no matter how far away we may sometimes feel. From an Ojibwe perspective, it is as a reminder that Nokomis is always around, an elder always ready for us to reach out and willing to hear what’s in our hearts. The piece was projected during the pandemic in a sold-out free experience at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam in downtown Minneapolis, MN as well as downtown Duluth, MN. It was synced with a soundscape featuring music by Lyz Jaakola (Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe) and a recorded narrative by the late Dakota/Ojibway First Nation elder Millie Richard.

Heid Erdrich (poetry, spoken word) Lucifer Josts (music) Moira Villard (animation)

This is a collaboration between myself and animator Moira Villiard. "Love Lessons" is a poem from my forthcoming poetry collection When the Stars Fall from the Sky. You can read the poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/146709/love-lessons-in-a-time-of-settler-colonialism For my first book "Words Like Love" visit: https://www.unmpress.com/9780826362612/words-like-love/ Animations by Moira Villiard For more information on Moira visit: artbymoira.com facebook.com/Moirart Instagram @moiraliketheory Music by Mic Jordan For more information on Mic Jordan: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1O5SetAu141sdrnn4OxTJe?si=9EvryvgGSNODr9H2UKeIlg

This is a collaboration between myself and animator Moira Villiard. "Extraction" is a poem from my forthcoming poetry collection When the Stars Fall from the Sky. For my first book "Words Like Love" visit: https://www.unmpress.com/9780826362612/words-like-love/ Animations by Moira Villiard For more information on Moira visit: artbymoira.com facebook.com/Moirart Instagram @moiraliketheory Music by Lucifer Josts For more information on Luc check out his Medium page: https://lnkd.in/g5-V7mTG

Chief Buffalo was one of the greatest leaders in Ojibwe history. His story is the origin story of downtown Duluth, Minnesota. But there hasn’t been any public art or a historical monument dedicated to him within the city. Until now. One of the memorial project’s organizers, Moira (Miri) Villiard takes us on a tour of the Chief Buffalo mural.