From September 2016 to April 2017 I attended Langara Reconciliation Carving Cohort. This was my online journey- a collection of research, thoughts, feelings, work and anything that would aid me and others to help the next 7 generations.
So I have been watching this play out. To be honest I did not and really do not know very much about Joseph Boyden, basically just what I have learned in the last little while. I have been sharing the different articles and trying to understand it all. I didn't want to make a judgement, I just wanted to put the info out there and hope people will read it for themselves and form their own opinion.
The radio podcasts are really good so definitely listen.
I posted one of my old posts at the bottom. This is a very complicated subject and I have thought about many of these issues.
I have had a very hard time tracing my roots and part of the process is being a part of the Reconciliation Carving Course I am taking. I feel/felt very disconnected and that is why I am trying to enlighten myself and other about what has happened and is happening. I have thought about the DNA, but I myself have not reached out to the Songhees Nation yet and I am not sure about my Great Grandma's side because part of it's in the US and well it's complicated... but people have reached out to me..and there's supposed to be a big family reunion in 2020 so I am looking forward to connecting with people. https://mylangaratrccarvingjourney.blogspot.ca/2016/11/enos-poirier-ancestry-kalapuya-iroquois.html
I had to learn about the different terms/labels and why they are used, why it would be nice not to have them in someways but how very important they are in other. It is an extremely complex issue and if one good thing can come from this is that it started a conversation.
A very very important conversation has begun and as we go forth into this supposed 150 years of so called Canada then it is a very good conversation to have and one that everyone needs to be talking about, regardless if you are indigenous or not.
Love what he has to say! They definitely need to make a movie about this and share this incredible story of how peaceful warriors overcame horrific odds.
Obviously the fossil fuels fight will continue but the strength demonstrated by the Water Protectors is hugely inspirational and a sign that we will win this. We have to win, we have to do it for our children and children's children. #WaterIsLife
2016 Turk of the Year
Congratulations! Thank you for all your courage, bravery and commitment.
We've been at the along time already, ...there's too much at stake...we will do what it takes!!
We must protect our children and their children's children. 7 generations, we have to think about the future, not the money and the moment. Mother Earth is in trouble, she needs our help. It's that simple.
Stewart Phillip, Grand Chief of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, says Carr's remarks Wednesday to an audience in Calgary were "stupid, stupid, stupid."
"I think it was an incredibly stupid and clumsy statement to make in an already volatile situation, [on] a deeply emotional issue here in British Columbia. And it's just absolutely senseless, counter-productive and unhelpful," Phillip said in an interview with Evan Solomon, host of CTV's Question Period.
Reconciliation Carving Cohort : A visit to the Lattimer Gallery
Last class for the semester and as a treat Aaron Nelson Moody invited us all to go to the Lattimer Gallery http://www.lattimergallery.com/ where Peter was our gracious host.
We got to see the Charity Bentwood Boxes
From the website:
Join us for the final night of bidding for our
Annual Charity Bentwood Boxes event. Artists will be in attendance,
refreshments will be served, and you will be able to witness the frenzy
of the last minute bids on these amazing steam-bent boxes.
Lattimer Gallery has the unique, warm atmosphere of a Northwest
Longhouse. We offer a fascinating display of gold and silver jewellery,
argillite carvings, soapstone sculptures, bentwood boxes, masks, totem
poles, and much more. In our "longhouse" we also feature a large
selection of original paintings and limited edition prints by many well
known Native artists. We want you to be swept away by the selection and
quality of art that we house here at Lattimer Gallery.
With Aaron Nelson Moody's help I have made some GREAT tools and I am GRATEFUL!!
Thank you Aaron.
The truth is I thought I was going to get some funding to help with tools, but there was none...and GOOD THING Aaron taught us how to MAKE OUR OWN because I am truly AMAZED with what I have learned and what I have actually been able to create with them.
That said, Aaron is great at sharpening...me...not so good and sharpening is a big part so that is something I still must conquer.
Anyways, I wanted to share with you a few photos and videos.
Almost finished the first semester. Just one more class.
Here are some of my carving designs and carvings I have done so far.
I am going through a lot of emotions right now. I am so tired, I have been dealing with a lot of personal issues related to the education system and feel like I am at a crossroads if I want to do the 2nd semester.
Many many thanks to Aaron Nelson Moody for his patience, humour, knowledge and wisdom. Very grateful to meet you and have you as a mentor. I have learned so much. I really love the people in my class but it hasn't been an easy journey and part of it had to do with Reconciliation but partly because of the education system and what is required and that it was the first course of it's kind.
It has morphed and is morphing, from what was presented in the orientation, through the classes and to what it is now and what it could become. We were told to focus on transformation in the first classes...well this class is definitely transforming, itself and the world and everything related to it.
My little caterpillar was a sign, she hasn't become a butterfly yet, I am still waiting. Right now I feel like the that poor little thing, it the great big world that can not move fast, that only eats and inches along. When will I get my wings...I don't know...I am waiting. ..
We will just have to wait and see...until then...check out my progress.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This event took place on the traditional, unceded, occupied territories
of the səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Saturday November 19th - noon at Vancouver's City Hall we gathered to raise our voices against Kinder Morgan, then we walked across Cambie Bridge to the Library and took a Pledge of Resistance
So PROUD of EVERYONE for showing up today! You Rock! Here are the links to the videos, see them below
Ben West's Video
Please Please Watch
Ta ah and Cedar give a greeting from Tsleil Waututh Nation at the rally against Kinder Morgan
Learn this song. It is the Coast Salish Song!!
No more Canadian Anthemn, Sing this!!!
Take the pledge
"With our voice, in the
courts or the streets, on the water or the land. Whatever it takes, we
will stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion.”"
