Honoring Bvlbancha

Members of the Power Shift Network, Three Sisters Collective and Pueblo Action Alliance painting at the John Thompson Legacy Center, Bvlbancha/New Orleans, Louisiana

Much like my hometown of O’ga Po’geh Owingeh (so called Santa Fe, New Mexico), Bvlbancha (so called New Orleans) is a tourist magnet for people who want to view a place deeply embedded with rich culture from a safe distance. Both cities gloss over centuries of colonization’s deep wounds in order to present an experience that seems out of time while comforting food, drink, and cultural appropriation are widely available. This parallel dynamic led me to feel a kinship with this city the first time I visited in 2017.

Views of the French Quarter, April 2023

Enter the Power Shift Network’s 2023 Convergence in Bvlbancha/New Orleans. Power Shift is “a network of youth-led social and environmental justice organizations working together to build the youth clean energy and climate movement” (powershift.org). The organizers of this convergence had heard of our work at Three Sisters Collective, and invited us to give a presentation on our Land Back efforts, as well as to create a community mural design to be painted by attendees.

The stars really began to align when we were paired with Solitary Gardens and the John Thompson Legacy Center. As Farmers and Earthworkers, Three Sisters jumped at the opportunity to be in solidarity with Solitary Gardens and the JTLC.

The green house at the John Thompson Legacy Centery, New Orleans

Along with artist Jackie Sumell, we decided to honor the Chocktaw name for New Orleans - Bvlbancha, Place with Many Languages. Seeing that the Center is home to the Abolitionist’s Apothecary, we honored the legacy of native plant medicines that still grow in the area today- Earth Smoke, Ragweed, Primrose, and Black Eyed Susan, the flower that represents Justice.

"Honor Beautiful Bvlbancha" Original Mock Up

*autumn dawn for john thompson legacy center x three sisters collectve

Tracing the design

Using a projector, we traced the design onto the sea can. Because it had to be done in a matter of hours, we use the protector for accuracy and efficiency.

Community Painting

Members of Power Shift Network, Three Sisters Collective, and Pueblo Action Alliance work on mural details.

it's all in the details <3

Power Shift Mural Team

Attendees from the Power Shift convergence volunteered in order to help us complete the mural in good time. The crew did amazing!

Honor Beautiful Bvlbancha

yours truly with the finished piece <3

The piece came out amazing! Thanks to all of our helpers, we were able to finish the mural and have time to explore the town and enjoy some food and the company of friends, new and friends who traveled from home.

i am extremely proud of this piece, not only for a first piece out of state, but as a lead artist, it’s amazing to be able to include community in a piece that creates relationships and spreads the love into other’s lives.

A note we received from Jackie <3