Our Stories, Our Power

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Letter from the Editor…

Relatives -

I greet you with grounded energy that has been filled all the way up this summer by nature, memories, and movement. I have been out in my home communities, walking our beautiful lands, and getting lost in thoughts and stories from the past while dreaming about the future. I have been safely visiting with relatives and I have been quietly grieving for all the spirits that traveled home before we were ready.

This poem from Abigail Echo-Hawk is a beautiful tribute that I have kept close to my heart:

Beautiful Words
When they buried the children
what they didn't know
they were lovingly embraced by the land
held and cradled in a mother's heart
the trees wept for them, with the wind
they sang mourning songs their mothers
didn't know to sing
bending branches to touch the earth around them.
The creator cried for them
the tears falling like rain.
Mother Earth held them
until they could be found.
Now our voices sing the mourning songs
with the trees, the wind. Light sacred fire
ensure they are never forgotten as we sing
justice.

In my walks outside, I have also noticed myself looking down more often, intently focused on where my feet are traveling and mesmerized by the flowers that blanket their path. They have served as little reminders of the beauty that comes from our Mother Earth and all that she holds.

2 words have been on my mind while on these small journeys: rematriation and storytelling. This word - rematriation - is the process of restoring balance to the world or “returning to the sacred mother.” Part of this restoration, I believe, is the ability to share our stories. Stories of us as womxn, femmes, mothers, sisters, relatives, friends, and all the other leadership roles that we play. This is where our power lies and this is how we move closer to one another and back to our Mother.

For this summer issue, Our Stories, Our Power, IGG is honored to highlight more and more stories from our contributors and it is apparent that we each are reflecting, questioning, challenging, and finding our own pathways to rematriation. I hope that you enjoy these gifts of story and I encourage you to reach out to us to share yours.

In solidarity,

Kelly Hubbell-Hinton