Call for Expression of Interest: Community Arts Playground + Greenspace

Community Arts Playground + Greenspace

Applications due April 15 at 5PM EST

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (the RMG) has a large greenspace for public use and for gallery programming. We are seeking proposals to help us achieve our vision for an accessible community playground and greenspace.

Our goal is to create a significant outdoor space through creative placemaking and placekeeping that will lead to greater community well-being for all.

We are seeking expressions of interest for the following project components:

  • Improve the greenspace through an accessible, artist-designed playground, park, and seating
  • Addition of a permanent shade structure on the level area adjacent to the gallery building
  • Adapt the slope or include the installation of a ramp to ensure safe, physical accessibility throughout the space
  • Improve our front steps to create a gathering space

The project will also include the creation of an Indigenous medicine and butterfly garden in partnership with our partners and commissioning of public artworks. Consideration for these components must be included in the overall project plan.

We are offering opportunities to visit, tour and learn about our green space to help you create your proposal. You can visit the RMG on March 23 from 3 to 5 PM or April 2nd from 2 to 4 PM. We will also be having a virtual information session on March 24th from 12 to 1 PM.

The RMG is an asset for Oshawa and Durham residents and this project will develop a creative, community space for all to use and enjoy.  We believe this greenspace will encourage people to come downtown and experience a recreational and cultural hub.

Download the Call for Expressions of Interest for full details

Meet Emerging Artist in Residence Malik McKoy

We are pleased to welcome Malik McKoy to the RMG as part of the RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program. To learn more about Malik’s artistic practice and his plans for the incubator lab, visit his profile and read his blog post below!

Hello! I’m so thrilled to be the next artist in residence at the RMG.

I am currently based in Ajax, Ontario, where I live with my family. Spending the bulk of the pandemic at home yielded some highs, as well as some challenges.

On one hand, I was able to dedicate a lot of extra time to improving my 3D modeling skills. As a result, and thanks to several commissions, my digital practice has been my main focus over the past year and a half. Commissioned art making is still fairly new to me, and navigating that since graduating has been a cool plot twist in my practice. It definitely kept my creative juices flowing while also growing my professional experience.

On the other hand, finding space to paint was a real challenge. Between commissions I have been working on personal projects (both digital and analog), but it was hard without dedicated studio space to make paintings in our garage.

Having access to a studio where I can work freely is what I am most looking forward to with this residency. Also, as a resident of Durham Region, I’m ecstatic that I will not have to travel very far (lol). I think my visual style is still developing in both my digital and analog practices, which is exciting for me as I prepare for working in the RBC artist incubator lab.

I plan on engaging with the public through online tools and in-person visits, so people will be able to see the various stages of my work. While revealing artistic processes can be nerve-wracking, I also find it cool that neither the artist, nor the viewer can know what the end result will look like (even if the artist is sure they do).

Lastly, I’m also looking forward to reflecting on the playlists I make over the course of the residency, and how music potentially influences how I paint (or not!).

Malik will be streaming live from the RBC artist incubator lab on January 26 (12pm), February 23 (7pm), and March 16 (12pm). Follow us on Instagram to see works in progress and hear about his processes in the studio.

The RMG Shop Holiday Gift Guide is here!

The RMG Shop 

Not sure what to buy your friends and family? Shop local and support small businesses this holiday season! Our team over at the RMG Shop has put together this great guide to help you find the perfect and unique holiday gift. Happy Shopping!

Books by Indigenous Authors
Our selection of books comes from GoodMinds.com, a First Nations family-owned business located on the Six Nations of the Grand River. The RMG Shop carries a range of fiction and non-fiction works appropriate for a variety of age groups written by some of the most respected contemporary Indigenous authors.

Wabanaki Maple Syrup Signature Flavours
The word “maple syrup” is practically synonymous with “Canada” and the syrup from Wabanaki Maple Syrup is like no other! 100% Indigenous female-owned and located in Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), Wabanaki Maple Syrup has created a twist on a Canadian favourite with their line of Barrel Aged Maple Syrup products in Bourbon, Whisky, and Oak.

AIDE Winter Soaps
With the weather getting colder, it’s time to give your skin a little extra attention and the soaps made by AIDE Bodycare are just the thing you need! Made locally in small batches, AIDE Bodycare soaps are available in a variety of holiday-inspired scents, including Mistletoe, Warm Cider and Balsam Fir. Each hand-cut 4oz. bar is vegan, cruelty free and suitable for a variety of skin types.

Kyla Vitek Jewellery

Bring together the effortless beauty of nature and the artistic skill of hand-cast jewellery with these stunning pieces by local artisan, Kyla Vitek. Kyla Vitek is a goldsmith who has been creating limited edition jewellery since 2005. Specializing in organic casting, Kyla uses natural elements such as cedar sprigs, maple keys, and polypores to immortalize the ethereal elements of nature and turn them into pieces of wearable art.

Mythical Matters Holiday Cards
Sometimes it can be hard to put what you’re feeling into words, so let Mythical Matters help you channel your festive sentiment! Each card features a sweet, hand-written graphic and note, but is blank inside should you feel inspired to write a line or two to a loved one. Mythical Matters is based in Toronto and a portion of each sale is donated to the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

The Restless Native
Supporting local artists has always been one of the driving forces of the RMG Shop. We are proud to carry products by local artisans such as The Restless Native, whose beautiful handmade earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are the perfect way to showcase the talent of a local Indigenous community member.

The RMG Shop is located within the lobby of The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in downtown Oshawa. We feature lovingly crafted, handmade artisanal products from across Ontario as well as a wide selection of Indigenous designed and manufactured products. Our boutique is stocked with unique, one-of-a-kind items including jewellery, home wares, and gifts. Each tax-free sale through the RMG not only helps to support local artisans and crafts people, but also goes towards funding our free community programming such as RMG Fridays and OPG Sundays.

Take a deeper dive into the exhibition Primary Structures by local artist Ron Eccles

“The painting process feeds you as much as you feed it, it tells you what to do.” – Ron Eccles

After two years of planning, we were pleased to open local artist Ron Eccles’ first solo exhibition at the RMG in over 30 years. With a career spanning more than five decades, Primary Structures focuses on a recent series by the artist called “White Line Compositions” and also includes additional works created within the last fifteen years. Eccles brings a printmaker’s eye and attention to his painting process; his works are layered and complex, yet beautifully simple to the viewer. Strong lines lead you in and out of the work, while shapes and bold colours hold your attention, and small details make you lean in a little closer.

Large-scale paintings by Eccles filled the walls of the upper Luke Gallery from August 3rd to November 7th and although this portion of the exhibition is now closed, the works installed in our P11 Corridor remain on view until December 5th, 2021. Don’t miss your chance to see the Corridor portion of this exhibition while you still can!

 

View of Primary Structures in the Upper Luke Gallery, 2021. Photograph by Darren Rigo

View of Primary Structures in the Upper Luke Gallery. Photograph by Darren Rigo.

Earlier this fall we chatted with the artist about his process, the stories behind some of his paintings, the use of line, colour, and shape in his compositions, and how he knows when a painting is finished.

Learn more about this exhibition from our Curator, Sonya Jones, in this recording of our October Culture Chat!

National Day for Truth + Reconciliation

In August, our team started talking about how we wanted to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. After open discussion we decided to honour its intention as described in the 80th Call to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report:

“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, 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.”

The RMG will be closed to the public on September 30.  The staff team is taking the day to learn, to participate in commemorations, and to continue our commitment to support the self-determination of Indigenous communities. This is what felt right for us organizationally; we wanted to participate in group learning together and to make time to focus on self-education.

We’re grateful for the list of resources generously offered by two members of our team, Samuel Powless (Manager of Visitor Engagement + Facilities) and Erin Szikora (Assistant Curator, Indigenous Projects) which we are sharing with our community. We hope that it provides a starting place or place to continue your own learning.

Miigwech,

Lauren

 

If you want to learn more about the land we are on

James Whetung Talks About Canada (3:19)

https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/2015/04/14/the-great-lakes-in-ojibwe-v2/

https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/haudenosaunee-country-in-mohawk-2/

https://native-land.ca/

 

If you want to learn more about Indigenous culture + teachings

Founding of the Rotinoshón:ni (5:52)

Rotinoshón:ni Governance + Wampum Belts  (39:39)

What Does Rotinoshón:ni Reconcilitation Look Like? (14:28)

Haudenosaunee Corn Soup (22:01)

Seven Grandfather Teachings of the Anishinaabe (11:20)

Importance of Birch to the Anishinaabe (22:08)

Richard Hill: Voices from Here (13:04)

 

If you want to learn more about the Indian Act

What is a status card? (2:14)

The Indian Act Explained (25:35)

How to Talk About Indigenous People (2:37)

 

If you want to learn more about local treaties

Indigenous Voices on Treaties – Anne Taylor (Curve Lake) (4:17)

Indigenous Voices on Treaties – Doug Williams (Curve Lake) (7:05)

Indigenous Voices on Treaties – Maurice Switzer (Alderville) (7:02)

The Williams Treaties

 

If you want to learn more about the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities

https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_residential_school_system/

https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/sixties_scoop/

https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_white_paper_1969/

https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/constitution_act_1982_section_35/

 

If you want learn from some preeminent Indigenous thinkers and knowledge keepers

Vine Deloria Jr. 1972 on politics, metaphysics (51:37)

John Mohawk 2002 on environmentalism (19:47)

Leroy Littlebear 2016 on metaphysics (103:09)

Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg: This is our Territory a book on traditional Anishinaabe knowledge

 

If you are looking to learn or read more, here is a selection of websites, resources, and other programming:

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba https://nctr.ca/

A Special Report published by the Yellowhead Institute: Calls to Action Accountability: A 2020 Status Update on Reconciliation

Learn more about Indigenous-settler relations by taking a FREE course through the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta

Resources For non-Indigenous People: http://www.trc.ca/resources.html….

Assembly of First Nations – Its Our Time – Residential Schools Toolkit: https://education.afn.ca/…/learnin…/residential-schools/

An Overview of the Indian Residential School System booklet: http://www.anishinabek.ca/…/An-Overview-of-the-IRS…

 

If you’re a settler, here are some places where you can make a donation to support residential school survivors and their families:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Legacy of Hope Foundation

Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save the Evidence campaign

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

Reconciliation Canada

Indspire

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

 

Follow these regionally based organizations on your social media:

Bawaajigwein Aboriginal Community Circle @Bawaajigewin on Facebook

Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation @MSIFN on Twitter

If you’re a settler, start following @OnCanadaProject to continue your learning

Ontario Tech Community Pathways practicum students investigate digital accessibility!

During the months of July and August, the RMG’s Communications + Digital Engagement team hosted two students from Ontario Tech University’s Community Pathways Practicum Program. Each student explored an area of digital accessibility and presented their findings to the RMG team. Today, we hear from Harneak Burmi about the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence vs manual alt-text for enhancing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and web accessibility.

AI vs Manual Alternative Text: Enhancing SEO & Accessibility for Art Institutions

In 2019, Brooklyn resident Deshawn Dawson filed 37 civil lawsuits against various New York art galleries. These art galleries were in violation of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) because their digitized artworks did not accommodate the needs of persons with physical disabilities. Other residents had filed similar lawsuits, making up a grand total of 100 lawsuits filed against the state of New York. The residents’ biggest concern was the absence of alternative text in the galleries’ digitized artwork[i].

According to the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, alternative text (alt-text) is defined as, “non-text content that is presented to the user as a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose.” Alt-texts are image descriptions that provide the user with relevant context of the image by touching upon an individual’s senses and evoking realistic visualizations. Manually written alt-text can act as a good replacement to the image’s default description.

For example, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte discovered the importance of using descriptive alt-text to promote their virtual art exhibition. The university formatted their entire website by manually writing alt-text for all their digitized artwork. They focused on formatting image descriptions so that the alt-text reflected the interests of their target audience. This information was extremely beneficial for viewers who were visually impaired as their electronic screen readers were able to describe the context of an image by reading out its alt-text. By restructuring the alt-text for their images, the university was able to create a more inclusive virtual environment and enhance user experience[ii].

Another advantage of having descriptive alt-text is that it can increase search engine optimization (SEO). There are multiple techniques that work in unison to produce optimal search engine results, based on the usefulness of website content. SEO ranking methods are not incompatible with web accessibility practices – both can work simultaneously and compliment each other.

For example, search engine crawlers are unable to determine the context of an image simply by visually scanning it. Instead, they rely on the image’s alt-text description to determine what is being presented in the image and where the webpage should be ranked in comparison to webpages on other websites that display similar content. As mentioned by Google’s image publishing guidelines, having manually written alt-text that enhances user accessibility can also achieve higher search engine rankings[iii].

Albert Einstein once said, “the measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” Over the span of a few decades, humanity has armed itself with the most complex system of intelligence to date: artificial intelligence (AI). The breakthroughs in AI have increased the rate of productivity for many online businesses. Advancements such as object and person recognition software, machine and language translation, and automatic image colourization have made us reliant on these innovative technologies. Although, when it comes to sharing digital media content to improve both user experience and search engine rankings, relying on AI can be futile.

Thomas Smith, the CEO of Gado Images, mentioned that the inability to add meaningful and unbiased alt-text to digitized images is an inherent weakness of AI technology[iv]. For example, image prominent presentation software, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, are unable to integrate emotional connections that capture a person’s or an object’s relevance, expressions, and reactions in the alt-text description. Vague descriptions, like “A picture containing person, outdoor, grass,” are commonly written by AI machines upon examining an image. Such descriptions do not discuss the shapes, textures, colours, sounds and other elements that visually unimpaired individuals can see.

As a consequence, users who rely on assistive technologies, such as screen readers, are unable to create a full and accurate mental depiction of an image based on the AI alt-text. Additionally, search engine crawlers, which rely on alt-text to determine the purpose of an image and its target audience, will have trouble categorizing the webpage appropriately due to the lack of specificity in the description.

An inaccurate and unreliable automated alt-text description is just as ineffective as having no alt-text description at all. Therefore, creating manual alt-text seems like the better way to go. However, even manual alt-text has its flaws. Depending on the knowledge and expertise an individual who is writing the alt-text has, the possibility of writing a biased description is not entirely eliminated.

Unlike AI technology, humans have the capability of educating themselves on the specific contents of an image and rewriting alt-text descriptions that may be biased. In a rapidly transforming world, the human brain has evolved to become quite malleable and adaptive to the changes and pressures that exist when learning new ideas and applying those ideas in a practical sense, more so than current AI technologies.

Manual alt-text currently supersedes AI alt-text in its accuracy and reliability. Nonetheless, efforts by some organizations, like “ Cloudsight,” have been to use a hybrid approach by combining human intellect and AI machines to create more accurate alt-text descriptions. Writing human based alt-text has turned into a lucrative business as companies like “Scribely” offer alt-text services to various brands, photographers, and artists. Scribely has specialized writers who work to improve accessibility benefits for all users and search engine rankings for many websites.

For art institutions, having a digital marketing team that is educated on both web accessibility and SEO can increase the return on investment in the long run by optimizing the perceptibility of art works for individuals who deal with visual impairments, yet still have a profound infatuation for visual art. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is a prime example of how adding descriptive alt-text to digital art works can boost user experience for both visually impaired and unimpaired users.

Embracing the future of AI seems inevitable, but it is also a reminder for organizations not to be complacent and continue to have a hand in deciding what AI can do well and what tasks simply require more human connection and intervention.

 

by Harneak Burmi

 


[i] Watlington, Emily. “How Museums Are Making Artworks Accessible to Blind People Online.” ARTnews.com, ARTnews.com, 22 Dec. 2020, www.artnews.com/art-in-america/features/the-met-mca-chicago-blind-access-alt-text-park-mcarthur-shannon-finnegan-1202677577/.

[ii] Sorrell, Melanie, et al. “Creating an Online Scientific Art Exhibit Formatted for People with a Visual Impairment.” Journal of Web Librarianship, vol. 11, no. 2, Routledge, 2017, pp. 105–23, doi:10.1080/19322909.2017.1300788.

[iii] “Google Images Best Practices.” Google Images SEO Best Practices | Search Central | Google Developers, Google, 2021, developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/google-images?hl=en&visit_id=637612992999017808-606899786&rd=1.

[iv] Smith, Thomas. “AI Is Terrible at Writing Alt Text.” Medium, OneZero, 5 July 2021, onezero.medium.com/ai-is-terrible-at-writing-alt-text-e79b0c4ecf51.

 

 

Meet Emerging Artist in Residence Laura Grier

 

We are pleased to welcome Laura Grier to the RMG as part of the RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program. To learn more about Laura’s artistic practice visit their profile.

 

During their residency, Laura will be working on project called Ǝrįhtł’é k’éíhtsi: K’enda, which is a word they created using their knowledge of the Sahtú Dene language to describe their artistic practice: printmaking. In this blog post, Laura explains what they have been thinking about lately and what they will be working on in the RBC Artist Incubator Lab.

Recently, I have been completely immersed in these research books on the bear lake language that I managed to obtain. The books attempt to explain the structure of this northern dene language, a task that took several decades to realize. One of the members of the community that was consulted was my biological grandfather, who I never had the chance to meet.

This has been a really complex year, and as I navigate through this city (Toronto), I try to find new homes in new things. I am away from my home, but I can still find traces of it in words, in land, in stories, and in everyday things. Things that speak to this urban displacement, and to some extent, urban relationality.

Right now, my practice is about looking towards the friends that live in this medium that I love. In print there are many, but the key elements are wood, rock, and metal. I want to turn to ways of practicing printmaking that make use of relational methods and considers the tools and the “things” that are behind, and in-between, the making. I want to work with wood more and find ways that they can be used to create patterns. During the period of my residency, I want to push wood to create similar marks from mark-making drawings through carving and print without a press. By doing this, I have a chance to play with patterns that can be repeated to form imagery that then becomes a fragmentation from its original mark. Like making words, there is a root first that then branches or grows off to newer unknown places.

I look forward to virtual interactions and onsite studio sessions. This work is flexible, and I will be in the studio on occasion to do some carving and printing, while using online resources that are accessible to folks offsite.

Connect with Laura!

To learn when Laura will be in the RBC Artist Incubator Lab or hosting virtual studio sessions, follow Laura and the RMG on social media.

Join them on Instagram Live on October 16 at 2pm for a Welcome to the Studio Artist Talk and on November 23 at 7pm for a Residency Check-in. Follow Laura and the RMG to catch these fun, casual visits with the artist. They will also be hosting a virtual printmaking workshop on Zoom. Stay tuned to learn more!

 

The RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program is generously sponsored by the RBC Foundation and the RBC Emerging Artist Project.

Durham’s Camp in a Box a Great Success!

 

“I wanted to thank the organizations who participated in this project. It would have taken some time and imagination, and it produced wonderful information for children and families. I am very grateful for the work that went into it. As a Program Coordinator I couldn’t have done it any better. A BIG THANK YOU.”

– The Salvation Army

We’re celebrating over here at the RMG!

This summer, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery partnered with 20 non-profit organizations across Durham and delivered a unique camp experience for children and youth in the region.

Through collaboration with arts, culture or heritage organizations and environmentally focused groups, we raised a total of $37,798 and assembled and distributed 500 camp boxes with art, science, food-related and physical activities, and provided essential support to families in need!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Learning and Engagement team worked incredibly hard, putting in 490 hours assembling all of the materials, all while navigating a sea of boxes that filled our corridors and gallery spaces. It was such a satisfying feeling packing up all the boxes and shipping them off to the 24 organizations for distribution throughout our community. We had a great time collaborating on this project in the spirit of giving kids and families a better summer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The boxes were a fantastic way to help encourage new clients to come out to the program. Each family was able to not only receive the camp box, but also get connected with ongoing supports.”

CAREA Community Health Centre

Recipient Organizations

Abundant Life Centre – Oshawa, Adventist Community Services – Oshawa, Autism Ontario, Bethesda House – Bowmanville, Brock Community Foodbank – Beaverton, Brock Community Foodbank – Sunderland, Carea Community Health Centre – Oshawa and Ajax, Community Living Centre – Clarington, Denise House – Oshawa, Durham Children’s Aid Society (foundation), Herizon House – Ajax, Muslim Welfare Centre, The Nourish and Develop Foundation – Cannington, The Nourish and Develop Foundation – Cannington, Salvation Army Bowmanville, Salvation Army Oshawa, Salvation Army Whitby, Salvation Army Oshawa, Simcoe Hall – Oshawa, Southside worship center – Ajax, Willow Park Cooperative – Oshawa, YWCA and Y-Whish programs

 

We could not have done this without our donors and supporters – thank you for your donation to our Camp in a Box campaign!

Cheryl Blackman, Kevin Dougherty, Derek Giberson, Lauren Gould, Roanna Green, Sonya Hill, Sonya Jones, Susan Magotiaux, Taba Merrikh, Donna Moriarty, Aleksi Moriarty, Annie Pinet, Mary Simpson, Carrie Williamson, and Kegan Winters.

 

 

In response to the discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan

The discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, which was operational until 1997, is devastating. It is continued evidence of the genocide of Indigenous peoples in Canada. We stand in solidarity with the Cowessess First Nation Community.

There will be more tragic discoveries as other sites are searched; this will not be the last mass burial site found on this land.
We encourage you to learn and read more, to donate to Indigenous-led organizations, and to support the self-determination of Indigenous people in communities across Canada.

 


If you need support, there is a 24/7 Emergency Crisis Line available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) at 1800-721-0066 and the National Residential School Crisis line 1-866-925-4419.

If you are looking to learn or read more, here is a selection of websites, resources, and other programming:

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba https://nctr.ca/

A Special Report published by the Yellowhead Institute: Calls to Action Accountability: A 2020 Status Update on Reconciliation

Learn about the land where you live and its territories, languages, and treaties: https://native-land.ca/

Learn more about Indigenous-settler relations by taking a FREE course through the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta

You can make a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society here: https://www.irsss.ca/donate

Resources For non-Indigenous People: http://www.trc.ca/resources.html….

Assembly of First Nations – Its Our Time – Residential Schools Toolkit: https://education.afn.ca/…/learnin…/residential-schools/

Aboriginal Healing Foundation – Residential School Resources Directory: http://www.ahf.ca/publications/residential-school-resources

An Overview of the Indian Residential School System booklet: http://www.anishinabek.ca/…/An-Overview-of-the-IRS…

If you’re a settler, here are some places where you can make a donation to support residential school survivors and their families:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Legacy of Hope Foundation

Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save the Evidence campaign

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

Reconciliation Canada

Indspire

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Follow these regionally based organizations on your social media:

Bawaajigwein Aboriginal Community Circle @Bawaajigewin on Facebook

Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation @MSIFN on Twitter

If you’re a settler, start following @OnCanadaProject to continue your learning

In Response to the 215 Children found at Kamloops Indian Residential School

As we begin National Indigenous History Month, and look ahead to our own programming, it would be incomprehensible to not acknowledge the recent discovery of 215 children’s remains on Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in BC. The news is devastating. It is a stark reminder that the genocide of Indigenous peoples on this land is more recent than some of us may like to think.  It is not history and has a lasting impact today through intergenerational trauma, land confiscation and resource extraction, the suppression of language and culture, and limiting basic human rights to clean water, education, and healthcare.

As a settler on this land, I have a responsibility to understand the ongoing impacts of colonialism and to support the self-determination of Indigenous peoples. There are 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed in 2015, with actions 67-70 specifically for Museums and Archives. As a gallery, the RMG is committed to social change and redressing the very real imbalance perpetuated through our organization as a colonial construct. We play an integral role in sharing Indigenous stories through art and programming, as we work towards justice.

I encourage you to read the TRC Calls to Action.  If, like me, you are a settler it is never too late to learn and never too late to take action towards real change.

Miigwech,

Lauren

 

If you need support, there is a 24/7 Emergency Crisis Line available through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) at 1800-721-0066 and the National Residential School Crisis line 1-866-925-4419.

If you are looking to learn or read more, here is a selection of websites, resources, and other programming:

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba https://nctr.ca/

A Special Report published by the Yellowhead Institute: Calls to Action Accountability: A 2020 Status Update on Reconciliation

Learn about the land where you live and its territories, languages, and treaties: https://native-land.ca/

Learn more about Indigenous-settler relations by taking a FREE course through the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta

You can make a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society here: https://www.irsss.ca/donate

Resources For non-Indigenous People: http://www.trc.ca/resources.html….

Assembly of First Nations – Its Our Time – Residential Schools Toolkit: https://education.afn.ca/…/learnin…/residential-schools/

Aboriginal Healing Foundation – Residential School Resources Directory: http://www.ahf.ca/publications/residential-school-resources

An Overview of the Indian Residential School System booklet: http://www.anishinabek.ca/…/An-Overview-of-the-IRS…

If you’re a settler, here are some places where you can make a donation to support residential school survivors and their families:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society

Legacy of Hope Foundation

Woodland Cultural Centre’s Save the Evidence campaign

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society

Reconciliation Canada

Indspire

Native Women’s Association of Canada

Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Follow these regionally based organizations on your social media:

Bawaajigwein Aboriginal Community Circle @Bawaajigewin on Facebook

Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation @MSIFN on Twitter

If you’re a settler, start following @OnCanadaProject to continue your learning