Ninikan (Ni-ni-can)

"The translation of Ninikan (Ni-nican ) meaning ‘I am here’ in Nahuatl is a mantra I’ve come to know and use in my Indigenous reclamation process and also how I acknowledge the presence of my ancestors here and now. The word Ninikan resonates for me because despite it taking me some time to get here, they have always been waiting here for me to hold space for them, as they have always held space for me. In acknowledging their presence, it has given me the authority to claim my Mesoamerican lineage and add meaning to the visual language of this piece through the incorporation of Indigenous body movements and the celebration of my pre-columbian ancestors. This scene depicts a tender moment between myself and my ancestor at night, when the veil and connection is the strongest and the sacuanjoche flowers are in full bloom and most fragrant."

"The translation of Ninikan (Ni-nican ) meaning ‘I am here’ in Nahuatl is a mantra I’ve come to know and use in my Indigenous reclamation process and also how I acknowledge the presence of my ancestors here and now. The word Ninikan resonates for me because despite it taking me some time to get here, they have always been waiting here for me to hold space for them, as they have always held space for me. In acknowledging their presence, it has given me the authority to claim my Mesoamerican lineage and add meaning to the visual language of this piece through the incorporation of Indigenous body movements and the celebration of my pre-columbian ancestors. This scene depicts a tender moment between myself and my ancestor at night, when the veil and connection is the strongest and the sacuanjoche flowers are in full bloom and most fragrant."