Exploring Indigenous Art-Truth and Reconciliation Day

  

 How can we recognize Truth and Reconciliation with children? By celebrating the Indigenous People in our communities. 

Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity to honour the trauma and healing experienced by residential school survivors and “to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” (Government of British Columbia, 2021). 

Starting a dialogue about the relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people is an important part of Truth and Reconciliation, 

In the Front Room of Maple Tree, we have started a special project focusing on local Indigenous artist: Darren Julian. "Darren Julian is a First Nation Mi’kmaq artist originally from Afton, Nova Scotia. He now lives in Wagmatcook, Cape Breton. Inspired by his late father who was also an artist, Darren started drawing at a young age. Since these early years he has been improving all aspects of his work with paints, and other artistic mediums. Mr. Julian is an entirely self-taught artist, who continues to explore the Mi’kmaq culture and the beautiful land that surrounds him"(Down To Earth Art Gallery).

For this project, I invite children into the front room where they can see a picture of the artist, and some of his works. We speak about Mr.Julain and the community he lives in, as well as the types of things he likes to paint. I ask the children what they see when they look at his work.

H said: "I see my mommy (pointing to the bear figure) and my daddy (pointing to the figure of the man)"

R said: "I see people looking at themselves in a mirror"

M asked me: "It's your turn, what do you think is happening here?"

Children are invited to first use sharpie, and fill the page with whatever they feel inspired to draw. Some children drew animals such as birds and unicorns. Other children were inspired by the artist's works and tried to re create what they saw in front of them. Next, children were guided to use water colours on top of the shapes they created.

I am so happy with each individual interpretation of Darren Julian's work. I can't wait to see what other inspiring projects will come into the Front Room this year!

~Ms.Katie