Educational YouTube Video Links Produced by Others
Radical Stitch - Curator Walkthrough
Curators Sherry Farrell Racette, Michelle LaVallee, and Cathy Mattes discuss the works and themes of one of the most significant exhibitions of contemporary Indigenous beading across North America ever presented—Radical Stitch. Beading is one of the defining mediums of contemporary Indigenous art on this continent, and this landmark exhibition will bring much needed critical attention to the breadth and impact of this practice. Radical Stitch looks at the contemporary and transformative context of beading through the aesthetic innovations of artists and the tactile beauty of beads. Beading materials and techniques are rooted in both culturally informed traditions and cultural adaptation, and function as a place of encounter, knowledge transfer, and acts of resistance. Connecting to a tradition of making, exercised over thousands of years, this skill-based practice ties one artist to another, past to present and beyond. The exhibition includes a range of work from the customary to the contemporary, with a variety of approaches, concepts, and purposes. Gathering together top artists from across North America/Turtle Island, the selected pieces exemplify current and future directions of some of the most exciting and impressive practices. The works in Radical Stitch invite viewers to immerse themselves in the political, creative, and aesthetic dimensions of beadwork. Learn more about this exhibition at: mackenzie.art/radical-stitch
NIAGARA FALLS HISTORY MUSEUM
INDIGENOUS IDENTITY AND CONNECTIONS TO PLACE
The residential school survivors and their descendants, the victims of the 60's Scoop and children who grew up away from their home community, are trying to rebuild their Indigenous identity and sense of self. Colonization has damaged Indigenous identity, connection to place and cultural continuity. Yet, Indigenous resilience and strength is shining through and today our presenter will examine the current social cultural and educational movements to bring back what was nearly lost. Presentation by Richard Hill.
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Richard Hill is a Tuscarora Citizen of the Haudenosaunee, a Confederation of the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk and Tuscarora Nations. He has been responsible for recovery of wampum belts from museums and historical societies, uncovering the history they carry, and sharing these teachings so that the lessons of history are not forgotten. He has worked for the National Museum of the American Indian, the State University of New York at Buffalo, Six Nations Polytechnic and now is the Indigenous Innovations Specialist at Mohawk College, Hamilton, ON. Warning: The following video includes a discussion of the harsh treatment experienced by First Nations children in residential schools in the 1950s. This content is disturbing, so I encourage everyone to prepare themselves emotionally before proceeding. If you believe that the presentation will be traumatizing for you, then you may choose to forgo it. Please seek assistance if you require it.
Truth and Reconciliation Resources are available at the following locations. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Call to Action National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation