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Windigo Communion – 18×24 original acrylic paint and ink in mixed media art paper.

“Many indigenous people and society in general, are full of assumptions and stereotypes about mental illness and the Windigo. Both being almost entirely misunderstood seperarely. But when you shift perspective, and focus on the these two things together, they are complimentary. When I struggled to find a culturally appropriate approach to my illnesses, when I sought out conversations, teachings and researched the Windigo… I understood more personally what resides in my mind. This mythical creature was invented as a lesson about how at moments of weakness, Windigo can influence the spirit. I cannot see any other contemporary application for this than to be experiencing an episode related to a mental illness e.g depression, anxiety schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, etc. We don’t become something else. We are not monsters. Thoughts are altered. Ideas twisted. Emotions disregulated and Windigo manifests these outcomes and thus me in a weakened state. But it is me. This image tries to impart that connection. That even with the influence of Windigo (as an entity floating above) the person is always there. The woman’s eyes are closed signifying that she is elsewhere, in that other place of dreams and ideas, where we commune with the spirits, that includes our own spirit. Tendrils of hair, as an extension of the nervous system connect her to Windigo. The dreamcatcher is there to filter our intrusive thoughts, negative self talk, the things that Windigo can exacerbate. Everything is connected, creating the circle. This says everything is connected and has purpose. The relationship between person and illness, woman/windigo has purpose. People with mental health issues often feel like they don’t belong, or question why we’re  here. We’re here because we, like everything else, we belong and have purpose. I am learning to love myself because of this manifest creature. My shared existence with Windigo has given me an outlet I would not have without its influence. Yes there are challenges, there will always be, but acceptance goes a long way toward living a life with mental illness.”

Windigo Ogichidaa/Windigo Warrior – original ink, acrylic and watercolour paints on a 14×17 inch surface.

“I have scars both physical and emotional related to my mental illness. Episodes sometimes result in injuries to my body, my pride, my relationships… It takes strength, courage, bravery, humility… in short the heart of a warrior to live with mental illness It’s not easy. Ogichidaa means warrior in my language, I have the word tattooed in red on my forearm as a reminder that I am a warrior. The fight everyday to do the most mundane things: showed, change my clothes, leave the house. If you struggle to do these things, but you do them, you’re a warrior. If you live in a world like ours that doesn’t accept mental illness in the manner it should be respected, you are a warrior.”

Woman Becomes Windigo – 11×14 original acrylic paint and ink on paper

“I feel often that mental illness, despite being a human condition, dehumanizes those who live with things like chronic depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety or schizophrenia. With this in mind, I thought about how the Windigo is seen as inhuman and a monster… So I wanted to showcase an image that brought focus to a human form. In this instance a woman as the most relatable silhouette and experience for me. I think the image is confusing. There is an ideal feminine form with a grotesque “Windigo mask.” Is she pretty, ugly, monstrous? her chin and mouth are peaking out from the bottom… there is a person there. But as is often the case with mental illness, few people can see past the Windigo, the monster, the mask. There is so much more of her there, the headpiece is a small portion of the overall image, but it is the thing that gets the greatest attention. This is how struggling with mental illness can be: There is so much more of you to see, and interact with, but stigma focuses attention away from our beautiful, larger selves. I keep looking at her, and what most people will see is a scary, grotesque image, but what I see isn’t those things. All it takes is a shift in perspective to embrace someone like Woman Becomes Windigo, because we know love kills the Windigo.

I have really exposed myself during this small series and I so grateful for the positive and supportive encouragement these pieces in particular garnered. It is a scary thing to admit you struggle when we are still only scratching the surface of the stigma associated with mental illness. People who struggle do not feel safe, supported or understood. Hopefully, these images spark understanding and empathy. #endthestigma “

Windigo Eats the Sun – 11X14 original artwork – Acrylic paint and ink on paper

“I was always puzzled by this because I can only remember ever being cloudy…

As I’ve shared before, the Windigo represents my struggle with mental illness. Windigo is that thing inside me, that can steal my shine she blots out the light. This image then is a representation of my metaphorical state of being when my depression and anxiety get to be too much, Windigo can devour my spirit, my mind and my body. I can’t get off the couch. I cry. I yell. I am solitary because I just can’t do people. In these moments…

Windigo Eats the Sun… again within the context of this metaphor, the spirit and intent is to convey the impermanence if cloudy days. You’ll notice in my work that everything is connected, this is typical of woodlands style and speaks to the circle, the cycle and the way everything comes back around. Those little dots are circles, the sun is a circle, Windigo is part of the bigger circle. I have begun using red in this series of works because red is the east on the Anishinabek medicine wheel representing new beginnings, fire and earth. Something we all need more of. Although my style maintains aspects of traditional woodlands, it is not “traditional,” I like to say: neo-traditional to be fancy! But it is true, it’s a hybrid. I keep the thick line, the connectedness. That circle in the belly of is the soul and spirit of me and Windigo. That symbol is also the pictographic representation of the Great Spirit, our Creator and speaks to how we are all the light and dark and part of the whole. “

Eating Dirt aka Leah Morningstar has been a client and a good friend of the spa for before we began! She created these great portraits of us to hang here! She is an accomplished writer and currently writes for the Walleye magazine. Follow her on her socials!

You might have met Russell when you’ve been here and seen his art. I have a few pieces of his around the spa. He comes by and says hi and is one of the nicest people you will meet. Russell sells his art on the street and at the Shelter House. If you see him around say hi and support his art.