Boujee Aunties and the Resurgence of Indigenous Matriarchy
We all have that one Aunty.
She shows up to every event or family gathering fully decked out in fox fur and head-to-toe beadwork, just asking to be roasted by her relatives for “acting good”.
She’s the one who buys you make-up and fancy hand bags that you can’t afford, because you’re only 12 years old and probably eat flavoured Lip Smackers for fun.
She will tell you to smarten up without hesitation when you’re acting up but keep all of your deepest, darkest secrets on lock.
She will answer the phone at 3 AM whether you’re having a meltdown or stranded at some after-party fighting off all of your distant relatives who claim, “We’re only cousins until midnight!”
She loves you fiercely and unconditionally and will be one of the first to say, “That’s my baby!” after every minor and major accomplishment in your life.
Aunties are raising the next generation of the Indigenous resistance to be proud and unapologetic and they’re doing it with sass and ferociousness. To all the Aunties out there doing the damn thing: I salute you and say,
“Long Live the Matriarchy.”
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Perfectly illustrating every other Anishinaabe family dynamic, I was born an Aunty - literally. I have 24 nieces and nephews - many of whom are older than me, and well over that number in great-nieces and -nephews. I consider many of them my siblings, having been raised together as children. I’ve been called “Aunty Vicious” and been asked by my nieces or nephews for a dollar or two on a Friday at the Kenora Shoppers Mall when I was barely old enough to get a job. I’ve been mistaken as a sister to my much younger nieces at the bar while simultaneously giving the skinny eye to anyone I deem unworthy of their time and attention. We all know that aunty glare - it cuts through crowds and makes people cower in fear that you’ll call their Kokum and rat them out for being a creep. Honestly, it’s an underrated art and skill.
As we grow older and establish our own adult lives, there are fewer opportunities to connect with my nieces and nephews. But my love for them is timeless and without question - I am always rooting for their success. Whether it’s proofreading a paper, answering a custody call, or rolling up in a car to help baby girl pack up and leave her trash boyfriend, I am just a phone call or text away.
As such, I am drawn to other Aunties. Raising a daughter of my own has caused me to tighten my circle of women who will role model for her what it means to be a fierce force of nature. Cassandra Cochrane, who we lovingly call “Chuck”, is one of those women. An aunty to many, but especially to our baby girl Evie, Chuck is a full-time artist, jingle dress dancer, and one of my favourite Treaty Three Imports living in Treaty One territory. We’ve collaborated on a number of projects together, through Clan Mother Goods & Apparel and her recently launched brand Caribou Connection. It was my absolute privilege and pleasure to do a photoshoot and interview with her for my first blog feature.
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When did you start your practice as an artist?
“I have always been artistic, since I can remember, and always wanted to be an artist but I didn't know what that meant to me for a long time. It's only been in the last few years that I have figured out HOW to be a practicing artist. Time-management, charging what I'm worth and saying ‘no’ are all things I have learned in the last few years and because of that I finally feel comfortable calling myself an Artist. I am a full-time student but outside of that I am also creating lots of work.”
Where do you draw inspiration from?
“I draw inspiration from everywhere: the land, stories, my loved ones, history, etc. Talking out loud really helps me work out my ideas. My spouse helps me a lot to work through problems and making them fully realized ideas and designs. He's got great taste and an amazing eye for color.”
I've heard you use the Anishinaabe term "taybanock" before (lol). Can you explain for our readers what that means and how that may play into your art practice?
“Tebinaak!! Haha it just means "good enough" but we use it as slang in a bit of a negative way to poke fun at each other or things. It's like meeting the requirement, lol, which is fine sometimes! I think my school work at times and commissions I have done that are super specific (that I wouldn't necessarily pick) are tebinaak, but I hope my Caribou Connections work isn't tebinaak, I think it's fly AF.”
What project are you most proud of?
“I am currently working on a tikinaagan (cradle board and beaded moss bag) and it is the most thought-out, special, and meaningful piece I have ever created. I have the beading complete and am just working on putting the board together. It is meant to be for my future child, so it is very important to me, although I am not pregnant right now.”
Why is it important for our community to support and be involved in the arts?
“Art makes people happy. On a personal level, creating art is just good for your soul - art is calming and it also helps people express feelings they may not have the words for. In a broader sense, good art tells a story. Take Kent Monkman for example - all of the sociopolitical issues present in his paintings are unavoidable. You can't talk about his work without acknowledging the injustices here in Canada and the great thing about that is it's also open-ended: not only is it saying something, it is saying something different to each person. I think it's incredibly important to support those people making big changes but also support those people making art for themselves as self-expression and healing.”
What's something that most people wouldn't know about you?
“My dream in life is to live off-grid. My grandparents live on Rainy Lake and their place is only accessible by boat, ice road or four-wheeler. It’s solar-powered, heated by a wood stove and still has an outhouse. That is my dream.”
What do you envision for your future?
“All I want to do is live on the water somewhere in Treaty 3, make art, love Bear and have a few cubs.”
I may start a territorial war with this question...Treaty One or Treaty Three?
“Treaty 3 obvs!! The most beautiful place in the world.”
I know your love for boujee native lewks. What's your number one go-to outfit for a night on the town?
“I’m pretty casual with my clothes. I can usually be found in a pair of camo pants or jeans, a graphic tee and some Timbs, but for going out it's all about accessories! My go-to is a camo green hat with 2 beaded bands, this pair of beaded green earrings with matching necklace, and a bold a** Fenty lip! And my ankle-length faux fur jacket of course.”
What's on your playlist these days?
“So much female hip hop! Meg, Teyana Taylor, Ari Lennox, Young MA, Jhene Aiko, Kash Doll, City Girls.... And whatever Cole and Dreamville are putting out.”
What advice do you have for other up-and-coming artists?
“Just go for it! I thought there was only like 2 jobs for artists when I was younger, but there are so many opportunities. Also, charge what you are worth! Not what people tell you others are charging.”
Jan 29th update: In light of the success of our first blog post, we added a final question for the original Boujee Aunty to answer and really drive the Aunty movement home.
What do you love about being an Aunty?
“I love kids! I love how they soak up everything. I love seeing little bits of yourself in them. Being an aunty is the best of both words; these little humans look up to you so much, plus they are usually on their best behaviour because you’re ‘the fun one’. You get to spoil them, get them jacked up on sugar and fun, then drop them off to their parents. I was seriously born to be an aunty too; fun and nurturing til you start acting up! Then watch out. I just love kids, and lucky for me, these ones are stuck with me.”
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If you’d like to learn more about Cassandra Cochrane and her recently launched label Caribou Connection, check out her Instagram pages @cassandracochrane17 and @caribouconnection.
Chi-miigwech Chuck, for your ferocity and candor. Can’t wait to see what you put out next!
