Echoes of Water: They Called Her A Witch

View my videos at: https://www.youtube.com/@julianagagne83

Videos: Down The Well, Pledge Allegiance, Coven and Witches

I am so grateful to everyone who came to my opening reception and supported my art the last 18 months at OCAD. A huge thanks to my family and friends who graciously agreed to interviews, sent records/photos, shared poetry and memories.

This work was dedicated to my family and to my ancestors; to the girls, women and queer ancestors who violated societal and gender norms. This is dedicated to everyone who is outspoken, to anyone who has ever been called a bitch or a slut. Accusations of witchcraft were used in colonial New England to reinforce colonialism, white supremacy and the patriarchy. My ancestors accused of witchcraft were: Mary Royce Staples (acquitted in 1653 and 1692), Mary Staples Harvey (acquitted in 1692), Hannah Harvey Beach (acquitted in 1696), Ann Holland-Burt (acquitted in 1669, although her grandchildren in Salem would not be so lucky), Jane Walford (acquitted in 1656), Sarah Wildes (hung in 1692) and Edward Bishop (convicted, escaped from jail and survived in 1692).

Thank you to: Dr Liane Nelson, Todd Gagné, Mary Ross, Tanya Gagné, Linnea Nelson, Shannon Nelson-Deighan, Chrisanne Nelson, Kelly Costello, (Lorraine) Zinnia Johnson, Thomas Robert Gagné, Patricia Asiel, Laney Skeel, Nancy Willis, Joyce Varcoe, Erik Hall, and Megan George

Huge thanks to my advisors, Tannis Nielsen and Julia Rose Sutherland for unending support, guidance and care.