A celebration of Indigenous Peoples and working toward reconciliation
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY— The opening night of The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre (NBIFC) annual juried exhibition was a celebration of Indigenous artists.
Working Toward Reconciliation: An On-going Commitment is a juried exhibition in partnership with the WKP Kennedy Gallery, with guest curators Gerry McComb and Thaila Sarazin.
Artists include Caitlin Daniel, Brandon Jacko, Grace Kamaiatisit, Andie Kinney, Leo Koustachin, Paige Linklater-Wong, Gerry McComb, Russell Noganosh, Katherine Sarazin, Thaila Sarazin, and Pauline Sutherland.
President of the NBIFC Board, Katherine Sarazin, explains the importance of featuring Indigenous artwork on the eve of National Indigenous Peoples Day.
“It is a celebration of the people in the area, their creativity and their understanding of the culture. There are celebrations in almost every community to bring awareness. If we hold special events that the non-native community can attend, that shows how much sharing and caring and understanding that’s being given.”
Artist Russell Noganosh says he still has much to do as he recounted his start in the art world.
“I have teachings from Morrisseau and the late Isaac Bignell and Jane Ash Poitras. She helped me. I met her in Edmonton. She was working with Ron Nogonash and they were doing the installations at the Museum of Civilization in the 1980s,” recalled Noganosh. “I was there at the right time at the right place. Jane Ash asked, ‘Are you Ron Nogonash’s cousin?’ I said yes. She said, ‘There is a studio next door. I want to put you to work right now.’ So, a year later they put me on the cover of the Art of the Nehiyaw with Alec Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Jane Ash, and Kim McLean. It was a masterpiece of artwork. I sold that original to the Minister of Cultural Affairs in Winnipeg, $3,800 in 1980.”
Noganosh talked about his large piece Asking for Prayers.
“Mishipeshu is in the Great Lakes. He’s all over the world. He’s the Great Lakes spirit.”
Gazing into Asking for Prayers, Noganosh continued, “When you crash, you have to offer your prayers. I started thinking of Dan Commanda.”
In the painting, there are figures on the green shore. The biggest has a mane of white hair under a hat.
“One time, he was saying his prayers along with the young ones. I was thinking about the waters. They have a lot of mystics. They needed to get to a safe point in their village. The energy has to be protected,” added Noganosh. “I have to share that story, about the beauty of that story, and make them think.”
Russell Noganosh passes goodwill to his nephew and artist, Brandon Jacko.
“I influenced him. I said, ‘I want you in this show.’ It’s helping out the next generation to get out there.”
Jacko lives in Mississauga and is from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Jacko said having his artwork on display for the first time was an amazing feeling.
“A lot of my artwork is from my visions, my imagination and life experiences,” explained Jacko. “This one in particular, The Song Woman, I thought of my mother.”
Jacko studied his painting.
“I acknowledge the land and the beauty of the woman. In our culture, the women are the most powerful. They have the ability to give life.”
Jacko explained his piece Thunderbird.
“Thunderbird is a supernatural creature. They are representative of power and strength. The reason I did two thunderbirds together is they symbolize the sharing of strength and power, to come together and work as a collaborative unit. I thought that was fitting for the reconciliation concept.”
The North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre art exhibit runs at the WKP Kennedy Public Art Gallery located in the Capitol Centre until July 27.