Indigenous Arts & Stories - Nikawiy Nitanis

My spirt name is Goonnagizhagokwe, and my English name is Mackenzie Dawn Anderson. I am from Fairford First Nation, Manitoba. My mother is Cree and my father is Ojibwe. I am 16 years old and I attend the University of Winnipeg Collegiate in the Model School Program. I am very involved in learning my culture and also in art.

My painting is called 'Nikawiy Nitanis ', meaning 'mother and daughter' in Cree. This is a Missing and Murdered Indigenious Women piece and it depicts a mother and daughter, connected though the sun and the moon. As Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women is a major issue in Canada and in First Nations communities, I wanted to do my part in spreading awareness. At the same time I wanted to show the connection from a mother to a daughter. Women are our leaders and when our women are stolen it effects our future. I am named after a indigenous women who was murdered, Dawn. So this issue is very near to my heart. I hope to create more pieces like this one in regards to other issues my people face such as protecting water, human rights, and treat promises. This is a 30x40 inch canvas