we, natty abdou & hitoko okada, have been collaborating with one another since may 2022…natty had just seeded & shared her first expression of what she calls an “earth-body justice piece” exploring her connection to body& land as one (through her ancestral work), the impact of violence to body & land (based on her experience of sexual assault) and with the curiosity to then explore the “then what?” of reconciliation…hitoko was a witness to her sharing & something sparked in her, a call to support and be an ally to work & support natty in bringing it further form
what evolved from there was a journey far beyond what either of us could have imagined…a sometimes odd meandering that led us to different places and spaces and moments….santa cruz, egypt, japan, burlington, hamilton, toronto, cape breton…a journey that speaks to our interwoven stories, histories, lineages, spiritual roots, homelands, love of land, tender spots, super powers and that we are each others’ favourite cookie-bunnies for ever-ever!
so much unknown and now we realize, so much that we could not have possibly known…our intentions, commitment & patience with one another, willingness to trust amidst long ebbs & flows, our sheer admiration and love for one another…led us on a wild ride where for a long time we were convinced that nothing was “happening” while in truth a really rich tapestry has and is being woven that is far beyond what our senses can perceive…
we have been able to create a container for ourselves where we often stretch, leap & take risks without even realizing it…we have been after all, exploring themes of harm, violence, trauma all while grounding into & being held by the land & each other
our work has now reached the ripe toddler age of 2.5 years and it is becoming more and more evident that there are vast & wide ripples from our collaboration well beyond our knowing…this conversation & this seed creation was another beautiful, fruitful spiral in our creative togetherness…what we share here is what we have learned so far…more to revealed!
