Artists:

Jason Baerg, Wally Dion, Beverly Doxtator, and Amy Malbeuf

Curator Statement

Elder Isaac Day gives a teaching at the opening.

Gashka’oode refers to knots and entanglements. In my interpretation, being Anishinaabe (originalpeople) is not derived from what is internal to bounded individuals but instead occurs in the interstices between us. As curator, I am interested in the ‘entanglements’ reflected in the heterogeneity of Indigenous experiences. Thus, I selected these artists more for their differences than their similarities. In this project, I ask how contemporary Indigenous artists respond to the encounter with Western realities, in and through their understandings of a self that is always already constructed in relation to difference. Confronted with the complex challenges, disparate interests and paradoxical relationships posed by contemporary Indigenous experiences, the artists refuse to latch onto easy answers and complacent stereotypes. Yet, they share a resistance to romanticizing a return to the purity of an authentic origin and, instead, explore complex encounters between contemporary and traditional realities, individuals and communities, and people and their environments. The exhibition opening featured a performance by Amy Malbeuf, teachings by Elders Isaac Day, Bruce Elijah and Mona Stonefish, and performances by local drummers Brandee Ermintanger and drum group Minwaasgay, led by Aaron Dolson.  An associated symposium and catalogue launch featured talks by Gerald McMaster, Greg Hill, Mona Stonefish, Candace Brunette-Debassige and Luke Nicholas and a performance by Moe Clark.

Catalogue