Blossoming Through the Fence
>> Call your mother, auntie, grandmother
The warmth of a Matriarch always helps
>> Take a drive to the beach, lake, river
Let the land heal and provide
>> Allow the tears to fall
You’re not weak for having these feelings
>> Turn on Reservation Dogs S02E09
Now remember, your ancestors love you, too
>> Bead some new earrings/Buy some new earrings
Beaded medicine is the best medicine
>> Read some Kinsale Drake or Tanaya Winder
Poems for ndn girls by ndn girls feel like love
>> Go for a hike or ride a bike under bright sunlight
Connect to Creator through nature
>> Just braid and pray if sweetgrass is your way
Gather some cedar or sage
>> Write it down to let it out
Poetry like this to show to the world or a diary to burn
>> Remember to eat, even if it’s something small
And don’t forget your water boo
>> Time for a 5-step skincare day to hydrate that face
Wash & tone, face mask, snail mucus, then moisturize
>> Do some haircare if the time for more masks is there
And nails too, it’s only fair
>> Check out a new park or museum
It’s always nice to smell flowers and see pretty things
>> Then take a deep breath–
in through the nose, out through the mouth
and repeat
About the Artist
Bridgette Hoshont’omba is a Choctaw culture bearer, poet, and model. The TCU student has been modeling since 2021 solely for Native designers like Weomepe Designs and Willow Crescent by Dorathy Wright. In her father’s absence, the self-taught beader has seen her creations gracing the runway for Scott Wabano during New York Fashion Week and on Kaniehtiio Horn for the Faces Ottawa cover – now she teaches others. Her poetry has been published in the Oklahoma Women’s Journal, the 2023 Institute of American Indian Arts Anthology, and chosen for the forthcoming Spring 2024 Yellow Medicine Review. Her work touches on the beauty of her culture and loss, trauma, and healing. She feels most at home when creating some form of art, spending time with her loved ones, and helping contribute to her community. You can follow her journey on Instagram @issitohbi.