This post is part of a Nat. Brut series in which feminist writers, artists, and activists discuss people, publications, or organizations who are working toward inclusivity. Today, Lynx Sainte-Marie shares their choices.
MIXED
Toronto’s Mixed Art Conference (M.I.X.E.D.), founded by Sarah Grznicic, Theresa Smith and Rema Tavares (Founder of Mixed in Canada), brings together racialized mixed race folks of different intersections and lived experiences.
“MIXED…seeks to challenge dominant paradigms of privilege, access, identity and racialization.”
Using art and critical dialogue as vehicles for social change — through performance and visual art, panel presentations and conversation-style breakout sessions — it explores the ways mixed folks negotiate identity, power dynamics and community building in their everyday lives. What I love about MIXED is the ways it seeks to challenge dominant paradigms of privilege, access, identity and racialization.
Healing Rage Ottawa
“…organizers strive to create safer space for all the BIPOC involved…”
Noojimo’ Annish Wenjigdaazod Kitchisippi (Healing Rage Ottawa), modelled after Montreal’s Healing Rage // Rage Sage, is a conference for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), coming together to share sacred and radical space with one another in the spirit of “decolonization, anti-oppression and healing”. Through presentations, workshops and various activities, it seeks to “inspire your creative mind, nurture your soul and expand your networks”. What I love about Healing Rage is how the organizers strive to create safer space for all the BIPOC involved, regardless of whether they are presenters or participants.
Qouleur
“Qouleur…is an art and performance festival for two-spirit, queer and trans People of Colour.”
Qouleur, which takes place during Montreal’s Pride festivities, is an art and performance festival for two-spirit, queer and trans People of Colour (2QTPOC). With a different theme every year, the festival boasts workshops, art exhibits, panel presentations and creative performances that speak to various issues within these communities. What I love about Qouleur is how authentic and raw the artwork and artists can be because of this intentional and necessary space to share their stories.
Lynx Sainte-Marie is a disabled/chronically ill, non-binary/genderfluid, Afro+Goth Poet of the Jamaican diaspora ancestral roots indigenous to Africa and the British Isles, living on stolen Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land (Greater Toronto Area). Lynx is the creator of QueerofGender, a grassroots organization and transnational visibility project, celebrating the various experiences of gender within LGBTTQQ2SIAP+ Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities. A writer, multimedium artist, activist, educator, creator and community builder, Lynx’s work and art is informed by Black feminism(s), collective community love and social, disability and healing justice movements. You can find out more about Lynx at their website. Follow Lynx on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.
Nat. Brut is a biannual journal of art and literature that aims to advance equality and inclusivity in all creative fields. To learn more about us, or to order a copy of our latest issue, visit our Indiegogo!
