the stone show

A visual poem about Indigenous pride, batons, caribou, and living with HIV and Parkinson's by renowned Indigenous media artist Zachery Longboy.

An artist leads his Infection Procession to the water.

Water into Fire is a mix of documentation of his performative piece and other scenes. In this piece, the artist continues his search seen in his earlier works for identity and placement in Canada's multicultural and First Nations arena. Longboy outs himself as a First Nations FAG, who is living with HIV and abruptly severs attached preconceptions of two-spirited peoples, forcing the First Nation's community to address him rather than the disease. In a contemplative and meditative search, Longboy recollects how HIV/AIDS has affected him and the community around him, revealing a strength through loss.