Mullyanne Nîmito
Cheyenne Rain LeGrande ᑭᒥᐊᐧᐣ

Nîmito in nêhiyawêwin translates to she dances. Mullyanne Nîmito explores LeGrande’s Nehiyaw femme identity. Delving into ideas around Nehiyaw alien, protection, movement as healing, ancestral knowledge, traditional practice, Nehiyawewin, and Nehiyaw fashion. 

The bepsi tab shawl is a sculptural garment made out of 3300 beer/pop can tabs that the artist and her community have been collecting for the past 5 years. Weaving the tabs and pastel ribbon together to create a long shawl with fringe similar to a fancy shawl. The performance, a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams, takes place in LeGrande’s homelands in Wabasca; created with Chandra Melting Tallow and translated by Nimama Connie LeGrande and LeGrande’s Kokum.

LeGrande’s ancestors created garments out of everything around them, a way of making that she came across regularly. Connecting art and fashion have always been a part of the artist’s family identity. A way of expression. A way of storytelling. These objects are an act of reclamation. 

“I am thankful to all the aunties, Kokums, and ancestors who have guided me. The performance takes place in Wabasca. It's an honour to be on my homelands and be able to perform in and around nipiy, the water, pahkisimon, the sunsets and askiy, the land. The story of Mullyanne that has been told to me is that she was a Nehiyaw elder in the community who would Natohksisot, (dress in all kinds of ways). The name Mullyanne was given to her by her community and again was given to Nimama for how she would dress. When I would visit my Kokums and aunties in Wabasca in the summers and would be called Mullyanne, I always felt held with love. It is an honour. I carry that name, story and spirit with me when performing. In hopes the audience can also feel held with love from all the aunties and Kokums.”