I created this piece to show grief and loss during COVID-19. I had lost my Kokume (Grandmother) to the pandemic on December 21, 2020. She came to Winnipeg from our home community of Norway House Cree Nation to seek medical treatment. While she was in the hospital from November 1st, 2020 to her passing, she was not allowed any visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions. Although the hospital and its staff tried to keep all patients safe, they were unable to stop the virus from spreading. My Kokume caught the virus and her health declined so fast we barely got to say goodbye to her. My aunt and I were not allowed to hold her hand or kiss her goodbye; we were only allowed to see her through a window as she passed. We need to protect our elders better and those who cannot fight this virus.
COVID-19 