Indigenous Artists in Residence
2023 Truth and Reconciliation Fund Grant Recipient— $10,000
This was a hugely impactful, successful project. Through exposure to three different artists; more than 600 people were impacted by the program; either as participants in the classroom program, members of the public who participated in the art activities, or the Heritage Centre team itself being immersed in learning and growth. Additionally, we paid three artists, and engaged with Elders and knowledge keepers in meaningful ways. We built a foundation for these programs that we would very much like to build on in 2024 with a second installation of this grant. Additionally, around 3,000 people came to experience the Indian Residential School Memorial Monument. As a learning, we will have a better marketing plan to highlight the SSCF grant.
As part of the Witness Blanket at the Centre, we directed part of our SSCF grant toward having an Indigenous Artist in Residence create a star blanket. Our hope was to have students and the public reflect on their experience seeing the exhibit, and then Muriel (the artist) would use that cloth to make a blanket. Once she started the work, Muriel shared with us that she realized where she was in her healing journey, and needed to work through the project. She wasn’t sure if she could complete it. In her journey, she revisited the Residential School she attended, and eventually incorporated more than 300 hand-created pieces of cloth from students and members of the public. We will unveil this blanket in ceremony in 2024.
As part of the Witness Blanket at the Centre, we directed part of our SSCF grant toward having an Indigenous Artist in Residence create a star blanket. Our hope was to have students and the public reflect on their experience seeing the exhibit, and then Muriel (the artist) would use that cloth to make a blanket. Once she started the work, Muriel shared with us that she realized where she was in her healing journey, and needed to work through the project. She wasn’t sure if she could complete it. In her journey, she revisited the Residential School she attended, and eventually incorporated more than 300 hand-created pieces of cloth from students and members of the public. We will unveil this blanket in ceremony in 2024.