Envisioning a Space
June 13, 2019
Erin Sutherland presents to the group on Ociciwan Contemporary Art Collective. Photo: Glenn Knockwood.
“An indigenous ARC in my community would mean communicating, not only through language but also physically through creating together, learning history through techniques and disciplines, a place to learn and make. A space that is open and friendly, that makes room for people to not only have immersive experience in aboriginal culture and imagery but also to just be. I also believe the walls should be forbidden from being painted white, I'm sick of white walls haha.”
— ZETA PAUL
“It would be based on sharing, respect for one another and pride for our traditional /ways, contem/porary ways; it would help /b oth /youth and elders to connect with one another, to /strengthen to disconne/cted relationships that have /been created through colonization impacts, it would offer a place for healing, for learning and a way to learn about importante of au/thenticity. etc./”
— CATHY MARTIN
Left to right: Megan Kyak-Monteith, Darcie Bernhardt, Zeta Paul. Photo: Glenn Knockwood.
Participants take part in a craft-based warm up exercise to create models of imaginary spaces. Photo: Glenn Knockwood.
“It's important that we embrace Indigenous communities at large and not just band councils and cultural friendship centers. This is about art for community and overcoming colonial structures. There may need to be connection with state led reconciliation, however apprehension surrounds this.”
— ANONYMOUS PARTICIPANT
“There should be more than one centre.”
— CASSIE PACKHAM
Photo: Glenn Knockwood.