Ociciwan* Contemporary Art Centre began in 2015 as an artist collective. A key aspect of the mandate is to support and uplift living Indigenous artists. The work of three artists are on display at the gallery until April 19.

In her curatorial essay Alberta Rose W. writes, “. . . for thousands of years, the dominant culture in these lands has been rooted in the traditions of the original custodians, Indigenous peoples.”  She writes of a reclamation of photography that  takes the camera out of the hands of colonizers and returns agency to us.” 

Cora Kavyaktok, originally from Iqalukuutiaq, Nunavut, was the lead photographer of the Inuit Tattoo Revitalization Project. Kavyaktok created photos for her Inuit Gold Series, a nod to The Cranberries’ music video “Zombie”. 

Her subjects are dusted in gold and the backgrounds are deep and moody. One visitor to the opening called them ethereal. Kavyaktok spoke of her project:

“We [Inuit women] went through three generations where we did not get tattoos. Recently I took a photograph of 4 generations of women who have reclaimed this cultural practise. I took a photograph of one of our elders who had been taught to feel ashamed of her tattoos. I want us to be proud of ourselves.”

The photo collages of Nahinni Mckay depict her home of Banff on Treaty Seven territory. The collages show the stunning backdrop of the mountains, along with crowds and consumerism.  Her work invites us to look at the relationship of the human impact of commercialization on the natural environment and the role of the National Park System.

The third featured artist is Seth Arcand. He used drones to photograph his home near Sandy Beach and uses mirrored images set vertically to create reflections.

Arcand is a Cree filmmaker from Kipohtakaw Cree Nation (Alexander). The triptych explores shorelines that Arcand frequented as a child and is a lament for the loss of territory that is no longer a source of food and sustenance for his people. 

Overall, The exhibit invites viewers to reflect on our own understanding of land and culture, not as a disappeared past, but as a living relationship.

Through Their Lens: Indigenous Perspectives in Focus runs until April 19th at 10124 96th Street. Regular hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m.

*Ociciwan is an inanimate Plains Cree noun relating to current or river, translated to mean the current comes from there. The name references the North Saskatchewan River that has brought many people over time to the region. It conveys an energy of engagement with Indigenous contemporary culture, linking present with the past and the future. From website: https://www.ociciwan.ca

Gail Silvius recently moved back to McCauley after living in Delton.