Daphne surrounds this Indigenous person, it is debilitating. They are covering themself with a red blanket to attempt to protect themselves from the plant’s toxic qualities. Red is believed to be the only colour that our Ancestors can see. This Indigenous person is seeking help from their Ancestors.

Settlers did not only arrive and take over land, but they also brought with them plants that reminded them of their original home. Some of these plants became invasive and took over large swaths of land where there used to be Indigenous edible plants and medicine plants. This image is meant to convey the unseen heaviness and damage that these introduced plants have had and continue to have on the health and safety of all Indigenous People. To help heal the people, invasive plants need to be removed or managed, and replaced with Indigenous plants.

Photograph and text by Elder Johnny Aitken