Reconciliation through art
Indigenous art showcased through Hearts Exchanged.
I have spent years visiting art galleries and, for a portion of my career, I even had the opportunity to work in one. I am that person who stands and reads each label, curious to understand what the artist wants to express through their work. Because of this interest, one of my next steps in reconciliation is to support Indigenous artists.
Recently, I participated in a trip to see the exhibits Radical Stitch and Duane Linklater: they have piled the stone / as they promised / without syrup with a group of people from Meadowlands Fellowship CRC. Duane Linklater, an Omaskêko Cree artist, spent time on the land of a residential school, exploring the exterior architecture of the remaining building on the site. Radical Stitch brings together over 30 artists from across Turtle Island to share with us the traditional art form of beading. Some of the works allowed you to step into deep intimacy with the artists’ grief, while others had quite the opposite effect, sharing the joy and beauty of their culture with us. One vacillates between grieving the generational trauma the Indigenous communities lived through and celebrating their resilience.
This event came about because of one church’s commitment to learning more about reconciliation. Syd Hielema, a member of this church, shared this with me: “In February 2021, Meadowlands Fellowship CRC began a journey of learning how to love our Indigenous neighbours. Members have engaged with the Hearts Exchanged process, which was powerfully transformative. Other events have supplemented the Hearts Exchanged activities such as this art tour.”
Participants also shared reactions with me, “What amazed me was the range of emotions expressed in this beadwork and the emotions this art brought out in one.” What is something you are passionate about that could become a pathway to reconciliation in your life?
This page is made possible through a partnership with CRC Ministries within Canada.
