Respond to Racism: Bridging

The history of Indigenous and settler communities is intimately tied to the sharing of land, as is the legacy of racism and colonial policies that continue to divide us.

As part of our ongoing Respond to Racism program funded through the Department of Canadian Heritage / Government of Canada, Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program, ten separate but parallel artistic workshops were offered at Nakoda Oyade Education Centre in Cega'kin and Indian Head High School. Both schools participated in a ‘cultural conversation’, facilitated by lead artist Holly Rae Yuzicapi.

Yuzicapi begins with this approach because “It’s a conversation that I believe all people should have... In a small way, I believe it's a conversation that can help eliminate racism because once we understand how we are very similar, there’s no reason to really dwell on our differences. Once we understand how culture works and how it helps people with identity and connection, we can all be compassionate to each other, learn from one another, and understand one another.”

From there, the students participated in workshops that included: learning about porcupine quill harvesting and beading techniques; creating buffalo parfleche artworks; reflecting on the history of colonization; and theatre games to build confidence and group cohesion. They learned about culture as a shared condition and built respect and awareness around the appropriation of culture before participating in engaged learning.

Using the techniques they learned, students then created individual artworks that reflect concepts of culture, land, identity, and home. These individual artworks were then compiled into larger collective canvases, which were displayed at their schools.

To close the school year, each classroom hosted a gathering where students connected and shared their artwork. Each school worked to create an experience that reflected their community and their culture. Through creative activities, traditional games, language learning, and food sharing, students built intercommunity relationships that placed identity and respect at the core. Thanks to the creative contributions of NOEC student Tomy Runns and artist Yasmin Darr, each student took home a booklet that highlighted the artworks and reflected on the year of workshops and learning.