MMIWG2 Month: Ongoing Struggle Highlighted, Sarah Whalen-Lunn’s (Inuit) Logo Strikes a Chord with Community

For Sarah Whalen, MMIWG2 Month is not just a fleeting moment of recognition but a daily, heartfelt struggle. Whalen, an artist and activist, created a powerful logo featuring a woman in a handprint with her hair blowing in the wind and the northern star, to visually convey the beauty and importance of those taken from Indigenous communities. Initially drawn for a rally in October 2019, the logo has since resonated deeply, spreading rapidly through the community. Whalen’s work, deeply influenced by her traditional Inuit tattooing practices, aims to humanize the ongoing struggles of her people and provide a sense of visibility and validation. Despite the profound impact of her art, Whalen remains humbled and grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

What does MMIWG2’s day mean to you?

The day in particular is a hard one for me to wrap my mind around, it doesn’t boil down to a day, it is something that is on my heart every day. So honestly I think I get worried that the day is a bandaid of appeasement to try to show a token moment of caring as we wait for action to be taken to ensure our people are safe.

Can you describe the inspiration behind the MMIWG2 logo you created, and what specific elements did you incorporate to reflect the themes of the movement?

I drew the woman in the handprint with her hair blowing in the wind and the northern star in October 2019 before AFN to give support for a rally hosted by Native movement as a way to try to offer something visual to convey the beauty and importance of the people being taken away from our communities. To humanize us and our struggles to simply exist

As an artist and activist, what message did you hope to convey through the MMIWG2 logo, and how has it been received by communities and organizations? 

I feel like it moved like wildfire through the community. It seemed to resonate on a level I didn’t even know it would.

What were some challenges you faced in the process of creating the logo and how did you navigate them? 

I didn’t face any challenges in creating it, I had it on my heart and drew from that.

How do your skills as a tattoo hand-poke and skin stitch artist influence your other forms of artistic expression, such as the creation of the MMIWG2 logo?

I think that being a traditional practitioner has deepened my connections to my community and that touches everything I do in the world. 

What has been the most impactful or memorable response to your work, both as a logo designer for MMIWG2 and as a practitioner of traditional Inuit tattooing?

I think there are too many moments to put words to. I am always in awe of, humbled by, and grateful that my work is able to have any impact or help anyone. I always want to help give people a place to feel seen, emotions reflected, and validated with the work I do so we all know we are not alone in this world. So my response I hope I show to everyone is one of gratefulness.