A Conversation On Native Identities, 'Sweetgrass and Soul Food'
the resurge/alight/burrow camp continues its PortalKeepers narrative series with special guest Marique B. Moss
words & photos by Evelyn Nelson |
For storytellers and PortalKeepers like Jennifer Gouge, Indigenous Peoples Day – observed in Wisconsin on Oct. 13 – transcends a mere date on the calendar. The month of October welcomes a new season to not only educate and celebrate Native stories, but also to invite a deeper awareness to the Indigenous communities present within the Midwest.
The resurge/alight/burrow camp in Carson Park — adjacent to The Chippewa Valley Museum (1204 E Half Moon Dr., Eau Claire) — will continue its literature and narrative series this Saturday, Oct. 18 for “A Celebration of Sweetgrass and Soul Food,” co-presented by Minneapolis-based author, Marique B. Moss.
“I do a lot of work that is intentionally about Indigenous food (and) trying to really honor the power of food in our culture” Jennifer said when asked about the convergence between Marique’s storytelling and her work as a creative. “(Food can act) as points of connection but also as time capsules and a way to preserve knowledge that may have otherwise been lost.”
At this offering, Marique will share readings from her recently published poetry memoir, Sweetgrass and Soul Food and welcome an open discussion on the collections’ core themes: Afro-Indigenous identity, self reclamation and survival through Indigenous food systems.
Marique is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation; her identity and the stories of her communities haven’t unfolded chronologically, much like the poetic excerpts found in Sweetgrass and Soul Food.
“I try to put you in my shoes,” Marique said, as the collection immerses readers in her discovery the culture and stories of generations which came before her and the roles of memory and food as healing “medicines.”
“I took (memory as medicine) as internalizing being who you are — and that (also) means looking at truly who you are,” Marique added. “I think it’s very important that you go out of your way to remember the things that are intentionally supposed to erase (our communities).”
Marique will have copies of her poem collection — and the complimentary self-guided journal, Sweetgrass And Soul Work — available for purchase at the camp.
The PortalKeepers series, Jennifer said, continues to celebrate the work of Indigenous creators and share their offerings with the Chippewa Valley community.
So far, the series has welcomed other storytellers — including A Smith and Cinnamon Kills First — who have respectively highlighted somatic literacy, along with contemporary views on creation and survival.
“If you kind of zoom out to the whole PortalKeepers series, we started with brain work and some harder things to breathe through and dropping into the body,” Jennifer said. “With Marique, we are not only celebrating her gorgeous works, but then we’re also intentionally shifting to (a) game night and intentionally laughing with one another.”
In addition to the author discussion with Marique, the day will bring another Crescent Moon Market to the resurge/alight/burrow camp, and a “Cards for Decolonization,” game session. Both Marique and Jennifer invite attendees to play a few rounds of the “Cards Against Humanity” inspired activity and lean into connection as another form of medicine.
“When I come and talk or (do visits), I always just want it to seem like we're two aunties — or best friends on the porch — drinking lemonade together, cackling and having a good time,” Marique said. “When I say this is a safe space, I want you to know that this is a safe space.”
For more information on the “A Celebration of Sweetgrass and Soul Food” offering and the complete itinerary of the resurge/alight/burrow camp, visit Jennifer Gouge’s social media platforms online (@jgougephoto). Learn more about Marique B. Moss and their dual small business and publishing brand, Mashkiki Studios, online at mariquemoss.com.
