Politics and food
Yesterday I had a great meeting with Melissa Carroll, of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council. We talked about how our respective two-spirited research projects can compliment one another. We seem to have similar politics and I'm excited to collaborate with her. And I'm excited to be making connections with other people in the community.
Back in April I did a radio interview about indigenous veganism, making connections between vegan practice, postcolonialism, and Mi'kmaq ethics. I'm now revising the text of that interview for inclusion in a book. I've also been invited to a be on a panel at an animal rights conference happening in october at the University of Waterloo. It's nice to feel in demand, although I worry about issues of tokenism, being expected to "perform" indigeneity, and being perceived as representing all Mi'kmaq rather than just representing myself.
Since outcastspice asked for pictures of the Mi'kmaq hat as it develops I thought I'd add this one of its early stage. Each cap has two sides, of which this is only one. The two sides of the cap are held together with a strip of red ribbon, so I've added a strip of magenta silk, which I had on hand. The plan for the embroidery can be seen sketched in in white pencil. Once the embroidery is complete I'll add some seed beads, which are also traditional. The bottom edge will be the part that frames my face, while the top left corner will form the traditional peak of the cap. I imagine I'll look like a cross between a gnome and a witch when I wear it. I hope nobody laughs at me. And if they do I'll try not to care, because this hat will take a lot of work.
I've also got pieces cut out for a modified Mi'kmaq jacket and dress, but I suspect that they won't fit me at the size I am now. I've been fasting on and off since Sunday in an attempt to eliminate my autoletic eating (eating like a zombie, eating when I'm full, eating just for its own sake), but I also need to get more active again if I'm going to burn off the fat I've stored. Tonight's challenge: I go to dinner at the Mandarin Buffet with my brother and his girlfriend. I haven't been there since becoming vegan (they're not exactly known for their veggie options) and I'm going to control my portions and avoid all the meat and fish. Thank God it's not their all you can eat crab legs night. I fucking loved those crab legs.
Back in April I did a radio interview about indigenous veganism, making connections between vegan practice, postcolonialism, and Mi'kmaq ethics. I'm now revising the text of that interview for inclusion in a book. I've also been invited to a be on a panel at an animal rights conference happening in october at the University of Waterloo. It's nice to feel in demand, although I worry about issues of tokenism, being expected to "perform" indigeneity, and being perceived as representing all Mi'kmaq rather than just representing myself.
Since outcastspice asked for pictures of the Mi'kmaq hat as it develops I thought I'd add this one of its early stage. Each cap has two sides, of which this is only one. The two sides of the cap are held together with a strip of red ribbon, so I've added a strip of magenta silk, which I had on hand. The plan for the embroidery can be seen sketched in in white pencil. Once the embroidery is complete I'll add some seed beads, which are also traditional. The bottom edge will be the part that frames my face, while the top left corner will form the traditional peak of the cap. I imagine I'll look like a cross between a gnome and a witch when I wear it. I hope nobody laughs at me. And if they do I'll try not to care, because this hat will take a lot of work.
I've also got pieces cut out for a modified Mi'kmaq jacket and dress, but I suspect that they won't fit me at the size I am now. I've been fasting on and off since Sunday in an attempt to eliminate my autoletic eating (eating like a zombie, eating when I'm full, eating just for its own sake), but I also need to get more active again if I'm going to burn off the fat I've stored. Tonight's challenge: I go to dinner at the Mandarin Buffet with my brother and his girlfriend. I haven't been there since becoming vegan (they're not exactly known for their veggie options) and I'm going to control my portions and avoid all the meat and fish. Thank God it's not their all you can eat crab legs night. I fucking loved those crab legs.