BIPOC Self Love Zine NOGOJIWANONG | MARCH 2022
Issue #2: Power
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages 6 - 7 DOMINIQUE O’BONSAWIN BEADWORK ARTIST
Pages 8 - 9
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SAID (SAHIRAQ) JIDDAWY GRAPHIC ARTIST
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Pages 10 - 11
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LAURIN ISIEKWENA POET
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ABOUT THIS ZINE
This zine was created in an effort to showcase BIPOC artists within the Nogojiwanong area. In accordance with the theme of power and self-love, our artists submitted pieces that represent personal and/or community empowerment. In the following pages you will find visual art and poetry, alongside information about the creator. BIPOC perspectives are incredibly valuable to our arts community, but they are often overlooked. We encourage you to support the creators featured in this zine by purchasing and engaging with their work.
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Firstly, we would like to thank our artists for allowing us to feature their amazing work. As racialized individuals navigating the creative fields, we are in awe of your unwavering resilience and commitment to your work. Thank you for the joy you bring to this community.
We would also like to thank you for taking the time to engage with the art featured in this zine. We encourage you to further support our BIPOC artists by continuing to engage with/purchase their work.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dominique O’Bonsawin BEADWORK
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Str a w
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y i s r r C e r b
e
n o i t a
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You can find more of her work on instagram @cedarlilie
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Dominique O’Bonsawin (she/Her) is an Abenaki/French Canadian beadwork artist who has found beadwork during a time of reconnection to her Indigenous roots and community.
Laurin Isiekwena POETRY
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I am a 2nd year student at Trent University. I write poems as a way to give myself and others a voice. Most of my work comes from spending a lot of time in my head and getting to put myself in other people's shoes to see their perspective. I write for everyone and anyone with the hope that people connect with my work one way or the other. I aim to tell stories and acknowledge feelings and experiences.
A reason to not be good
Half the time I feel like I can’t breathe But I’m breathing So what does it mean? How is it possible? How is it possible to feel both fine and not fine All at the same time People ask how I’m doing and I say I’m good But immediately feel like I just told a lie But I am good I should be good I don’t understand not being good When there isn’t a reason to not be
Find more of Laurin's work on @the_unspokrn
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Dear black beauty!
Dear black beauty From the colour of your skin to the length and weight of your hair I see you I see your beauty in all its glory And how you fight to tell your story
Oh, black beauty In a world with lots of envy You show such bravery Telling your story loudly In this life of uncertainty
Oh, black beauty! Your uniqueness is a blessing that shines even in the darkest of times Do you know how amazing you are With beauty that touches the soul The sun kisses your skin even on a dull day because your beauty, it can’t deny itself. Dear black beauty I see you! I adore you! beauty so classic With such a rare Physique You are a force that cannot be denied To my parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, neighbours and friends, The radiant glow of your skin makes even the stars smile Your black is beautiful.
Said
(SahiraQ)
Jiddawy
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DIGITAL ART
Never forget you are made of stardust
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For more information please visit linktr.ee/dragsahiraq, or check out @sahiradraws on Instragram
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Best known as Peterborough’s Punk Pinkcess, Sahira Q (They/Them) is a quirky, yet lovable, drag queen who has performed at various stages, backyards, and local watering holes across southern Ontario. Sahira is a trans-feminine, nonbinary, and queer artist who dabbles with all mediums of art, with their newest one being acrylic on canvas. They emigrated to Canada from Zanzibar, Tanzania more than ten years ago but miss the island sun every day. Outside of drag and art, Sahira is an activist, a gaymer, a community educator, and a graphic designer.
FINAL NOTES
Thank you to our artists for allowing us to feature their amazing work.
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This project is funded by the Center for Women and Trans People (CWTP). For more bipoc programming please check out our website trentcwtp.com and our instagram bipoc_archives_nogo. This zine was coordinated and designed by Rhea Shahe. The cover page is a portrait of begum hazrat mahal, a fierce leader in the indian rebellion of 1857.
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