An amazing August
Happy August Everyone! This has been another busy month for us, and I can’t believe we’re about to welcome September and the back to school season in just a few short days. Something quite remarkable happened during the month of August, but before I talk about that I thought I’d give an update on some other happenings.
First I would say that August was very much filled with thinking, exploring, and otherwise gathering inspiration for the new creative works to come. I had a chance to read through older work and understand what to do with the significant amount of poetry I’ve gathered (by compiling what was meant to be several volumes into one), and how to move forward with the other novel-length works in progress that I have first drafts of.
I had known this summer that I was interested in visiting the National Gallery this summer to do some master/painting copies, and so when we found out we would also be attending the WAVES Indigenous Language Conference hosted by the Office of the Language Commissioner, it was the perfect opportunity to fold in a few gallery visits amidst the conference activities.
A few pictures from Kanà:tsyo (Ottawa).
The conference itself was good. I think most of us in attendance understand that the bulk of language revitalization work happens in community, in classrooms, in immersion programs and in schools, but it is still nice to come together and be inspired or learn about what others are doing as well. I attended a number of presentations and exhibits, and was also able to learn from different paintings I saw.
It feels like a new and energetic time has come. A time of art, language, story, spirit, creation, and community - things that have always been present in my life, but can be experienced almost anew now, or in ways I hadn’t quite thought of. These past two years of language learning have meant so much to me, and I am excited to keep going, to keep growing what I can say. And so it feels like there are new projects waiting, and I am happy to welcome them.
And that brings me to share the exciting news about Niagara Park’s newest attraction, Niagara Takes Flight, an immersive experience at Niagara Falls that I was fortunate enough to contribute my art to. The attraction opened this past weekend, and my family and I attended the ribbon cutting with other members of the creative team. The entire attraction is a 30-minute experience that culminates in a fly over of the Niagara Region in which you can see views of the Falls, Queenston Heights, the Niagara Power Station, the Botannical Gardens and much more.
A few images of my family and I at the opening of Niagara Takes Flight.
My contributions to the experience are in the Ancestor’s Room, where visitors will see a short, animated section of the Haudenosaunee Creation Story. The story was written by project’s Indigenous Advisory Council and performed by Indigenous voice actors. My art catalogue served as the style inspiration for the animation team, and I also created reference paintings to inform the creation of the mural that wraps around the room. The project was wonderfully collaborative, the first I’ve ever worked on of its kind, and I feel like there are so many things that I want to say about it. Until then, I will just say that the Creation Story and Niagara Falls carry a lot of significance, and I am truly very grateful to have a space that acknowledges Niagara as a place rich with story, where our nations have long gathered. Having had the chance to visit the space and do the ride a few times, and I look forward to returning again!
One of the Skywoman reference paintings.
All in all, I’m grateful to have another place that acknowledges our stories and connections to the lands and waters in Niagara. I hope that everyone who is able to visit it feels a sense of connection and appreciation for our world when they go through it, and that when people from our communities go, they feel acknowledged and seen. Ayá:wen’s aesewanón:we’ne!