National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Join us at the AGA as we honour Indigenous culture with programming:

Film Screening | Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things (2016)

June 19, 7-8:30pm

$5

Join us for a screening of the compelling documentary Two Soft Things, Two Hard Things. This 2016 Canadian film delves into the history of queer identity among the Inuit, and the complexities that arise while planning and hosting a pride celebration.

This screening is included in the AGA’s annual programming for Indigenous History Month.

About the film: As Nunavut capital, Iqaluit, is planning its annual pride celebration, tensions rise and conversations around Christian missions, Inuit culture, government involvement, colonisation and loss of cultural identity are brought to the forefront. A new generation of community members work to remove the shame from their past and work towards 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion.

“An entire culture’s way of life, their family structures, their spirituality and their sexual practices, were effectively silenced and erased in a single generation. That loss of cultural identity and that shame persist today and that’s why a seemingly simple pride event is anything but simple in a community like Iqaluit.” 

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National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21, 12-5pm

Admission By Donation

Indigenous People’s Day, taking place on June 21, is a day to celebrate the culture, language and history of Indigenous communities in Canada, communities that have lived on Turtle Island (North America) for thousands of years.

Our theme, “Reclamation”, guides our program schedule to highlight learning and reclaiming of culture, language and traditions through art.

Schedule:

Main Hall

12pm            Elder Blessing

12:30pm       Performance (more information to come)

1-3pm           Healing Through Ribbons with Veronica McRea

              

3rd Floor Terrace

3pm              Tour 1 of The Reciprocity Garden

3:30pm         Tour 2 of The Reciprocity Garden

                  

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About Healing through Ribbons: Veronica McRea has worked for years to reconnect to her culture, and she did this through the creation of ribbons skirts. Join Veronica as she shares her journey, from sewing of her first ribbon skirt to community workshops where she shares her passion with others and helps them to connect to this beautiful tradition.

This 1-hour talk will be followed by a guided instruction by the artist to create your own ribbon skirt lapel pin.

Tour of Reciprocity Garden | ᐋᐧᐦᑰᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ (wâhkôhtowin)

Join Alaynee Goodwill-Littlechild, our TD Curator of Indigenous Creativity, on a tour of Reciprocity Garden| ᐋᐧᐦᑰᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣ (wâhkôhtowin). She will share insights into the creation of the project and teach the attendees Cree names for the flora and fauna living in our garden.

About the exhibition:

The idea of “reciprocity” is often considered through the lens of trade, but what if we think about it more broadly? That is, reciprocity as general acts of goodwill with the intention of fostering a stronger community. The garden tries to accomplish this by embodying the Cree idea of wâhkôhtowin, a connection to all that surrounds us. Together we all benefit from taking the time to consider what we sow, be it plants, ideas, dreams, or relationships. 

Organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta. Curated by Alaynee Goodwill-Littlechild, TD Curator of Indigenous Creativity, and Sara McKarney. Presented by the Poole Centre of Design.