Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings: Indigenous Tattoo Resurgence Panel

We are pleased to announce the next event for the Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings, presented in partnership with the Onsite Gallery at OCAD U.

On Thursday, November 16, Native Women in the Arts will host the Indigenous Tattoo Resurgence Panel with Holly NordlumMaya Jacobsen, and Jay Soule, moderated by Aylan Couchie.

The talk will focus on revitalization, ancient traditions, design, health & safety, technique, and the importance of preservation. Holly will also be giving us a sneak peek of her up and coming documentary Tupik: Inuit Ink.

The Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings connect cultural leaders to the Indigenous community in Toronto. Leaders discuss identity, wellness, language revitalization, traditional arts, ceremony, and history, as well as issues that face our communities such as climate change and the environment, decolonization, reconciliation, and sovereignty. Through monthly presentations, based on each leader’s own distinct nation and culture, the gatherings strengthen, empower, and support our community. Ka’nikonhrí:yo means to have a good mind in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk).

Artist Panel: Thursday, November 16, 2017 I 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Onsite Gallery, OCAD U, 199 Richmond St W, Toronto
Admission: FREE
For more info: events@nwia.ca
FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/875940665906340/

 

Holly Nordlum

Holly Mitotique Nordlum is an Inupiaq artist, born in Kotzebue, Alaska. Throughout her childhood Holly developed an appreciation for her culture, art, and life in the arctic. A couple of great art teachers throughout high school, (Susan Mason in Kotzebue, and Cindy Yarawamai at Hawaii Preparatory Academy), encouraged and inspired Holly.  Her mother, Lucy, is also an artist and led her by example. Holly attended the University of Alaska, Anchorage and completed a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree in Graphic Design and Photography. While in school she also explored jewelry making, printmaking and sculpture.

Holly opened Naniq Design soon after graduation in 2004. She works full-time as a graphic designer and artist and Traditional Tattooist. She lives in Anchorage.

 

Maya Jacobsen

Maya Sialuk Jacobsen is Inuk from Qeqertarsuaq, Greenland, currently living in Svendborg, Denmark. Maya Sialuk is a Culture Bearer, researcher and educator, with 16 years of tattoo experience. The first ten years of her career she practiced western tattooing, and the last six she has spent solely committed to Inuit Tattoo Traditions.

She is co-owner of two tattoo shops in Oslo, Norway, and has 5 years experience from the Norwegian Tattoo Union, negotiating legislation with the authorities in Norway on health and safety in tattooing.

When Maya is not tattooing in her home studio, she is travelling in Inuit countries and teaching traditional tattoo methods to Inuit women, or working with research and culture preservation.

 

Jay Soule

Jay Soule is a Chippewa/Lebanese multimedia artist from the Chippewa of the Thames First Nation in Southern Ontario. Soule creates art under the name CHIPPEWAR; a play on words “Chippewa” and “warrior.”

Splitting his time between several styles of artistic work from tattooing, body piercing, painting, sculpting, installation work, music as well as his line of CHIPPEWAR war clothing. From spring to fall can find him on the Pow Wow trail selling his art, clothing and other.

 He has been working as a professional body piercer for the last 17 years and tattooing for the last 13 year in professional shops in the USA, England, Australia and Canada.

In 2005, Jay established his company Armoured Soul Tattoos – Piercing & Art Gallery currently located 721 Queen St. West, Unit B Toronto. The studio’s walls are covered with his painting and carry his clothing line and a huge selection of piercing jewelry.

You can visit www.chippewar.com to see his artwork and clothing, go to www.armouredsoultattoos.com to see his Tattoo & Piercing portfolio or book an appointment in this Toronto Studio.

 

Aylan Couchie

Aylan Couchie is an interdisciplinary Anishinaabe artist and writer hailing from Nipissing (Nbisiing) First Nation in Northern Ontario. Though now based in Toronto, she received her BFA with a major in sculpture from NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is currently an MFA Candidate in the Interdisciplinary Art, Media and Design program at OCAD University where she is pursuing her graduate studies with a focus on Indigenous monument and public art.

Her work explores ideas of colonialism, land and First Nation realities and histories from her Two­-Spirit, feminist perspective. While serving as director of marketing for The Front Room Gallery, she initiated and lead Barrie’s “Who New?!” Downtown Art Crawls as well as several other events in partnership with local organizations. She’s community­ driven and asserts an Indigenous presence on arts advisory committees and juries. She’s been the recipient of several awards including “Outstanding Student Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture” through the International Sculpture Center and the Inaugural Barbara Laronde Award from Native Women in the Arts.

Most recently, Aylan won a Premier’s Award through Ontario Colleges which allowed her to create and establish a 5 year scholarship in support of single Indigenous mothers excelling in a post­-secondary program at Georgian College.

Onsite Gallery 

Onsite Gallery, OCAD University’s professional gallery and experimental curatorial platform for art, design and digital media, fosters social and cultural transformations. Onsite Gallery serves the OCAD University community and the general public.

Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings: Aztec Dance Workshop

Wachay!

We are pleased to announce the next workshop for the Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings: Aztec Dancing with Mapuchedub and Jesus Mora at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre.

The Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings connects cultural leaders to the Indigenous community in Toronto. Leaders who discuss identity, wellness, language revitalization, traditional arts, ceremony, and history, as well as issues that face our communities such as climate change and the environment, decolonization, reconciliation, and sovereignty. Through monthly presentations, based on each leader’s own distinct nation and culture, the gatherings strengthen, empower, and support our community members. Ka’nikonhrí:yo means to have a good mind in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk).

Join us on Saturday, September 23 for the Aztec dance workshop with re-known dancers Mapuchedub and Jesus Mora. Together they will lead a workshop that includes movement, teachings and traditional music. This workshop is open to all members of the community to attend. They have been working within the arts community for many years to bring their culture and traditions from Mexico to the community in Toronto.

About the Aztec Dance Workshop:

Aztec dance is a traditional pre-Hispanic dance from Mexico. Aztec dance is a connection with mother earth and the universe, it is a prayer in movement. During this workshop people will be introduced to this ancient practice and be able to gain full knowledge of the dance. Participants will take with them the richness of Aztec/Mexica vision through this artistic discipline. This workshop is a representation of the eagle and the condor coming together through movement of the body and spirit.

Saturday, September 23, 2017 | 3pm – 6pm
Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Suite 209, 180 Shaw St, Toronto
For more info: events@nwia.ca
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/513911352282790/
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kanikonhriyo-gatherings-aztec-dance-workshop-tickets-37709806045

Mapuchedub and Jesus Mora

Mapuchedub & Jesus Mora

About Mapuchedub:

Mapuchedub is Toronto born of Mapuche and Quechua ancestry. She is a mother of two children and they are her inspiration in life. Mapuchedub is recognized for her Aztec dance and has performed and facilitated workshops at various events throughout Toronto, Ontario and Canada. In the mid 90’s she travelled to south America to reconnect to her roots. This journey paved the foundation of her future work with Indigenous people worldwide. She is the creator and writer of an online comic about the connections between African and Indigenous communities in Bolivia and the sacred medicine; Coca. She has contributed photography and design of IR: Indigenous Resistance and The Fire This Time videos: Journey to SosolakamI love da FutureLa Revoluta,and the imagineNATIVE award winning multimedia piece Dub Navigation. She is a member of 7 Directions; a land based project which supports Indigenous cultural renewal. She is an actor and member of The Beautiful Canoe Collective, working on their future theatre production based on birth stories. The Beautiful Canoe Collective performed and facilitated workshops at Trent University 41st Annual Elder and Traditional gathering.

About Jesus Mora:

Jesus Mora was born in 1971 in a suburb near Mexico City. In 1997 he moved to Toronto and studied at Ontario College of Art in the Drawing & Painting program, where is now lives and works as a multidisciplinary artist. As a teenager, Mora was involved in theatre and has been a part of the performance community since 2003. In 2005 Mora became a member of the Mexica (Aztec) Dance group in Toronto where they have been invited to perform at pow wows, presentations, celebrations, ceremonies and festivals in Mexico, Ontario, Quebec and Vancouver. Mora has engaged with the Aztec Dance Circle as a dancer, drummer and the conch player (prehispanic instrument that represents the element of wind).

Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings: Sundance Teachings with Harry & Juliana Snowboy

We are pleased to announce the next speakers for the Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings, in partnership with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto:

The Ka’nikonhrí:yo Gatherings connects cultural leaders to the Indigenous community in Toronto. Leaders who discuss identity, wellness, language revitalization, traditional arts, ceremony, and history, as well as issues that face our communities such as climate change and the environment, decolonization, reconciliation, and sovereignty. Through monthly presentations, based on each leader’s own distinct nation and culture, the gatherings strengthen, empower, and support our community members.

The next speakers in the series are:

Harry and Juliana Snowboy, will discuss Sundance teachings and answer questions with respect to the spirit, history, and origins of Sundance ceremonies, and the importance of gaining spiritual sovereignty, and the reclamation of our sacred culture and traditions. Harry and Juliana are the Sundance leaders of the annual Rattlechild Sundance ceremony situated in the traditional territory of the Anishnawbe of Henvey Inlet, First Nation. Both Harry and Juliana are the keepers of various sacred ceremonies and are regarded as Elders and Healers in their community. Both are well-known across the country for the healing and cultural work they have been doing for over 25 years. We are very happy to be hosting them and providing this opportunity to share their wisdom with us. Please join us for this important and inspiring discussion.

Friday, August 11, 2017 | 3pm – 5pm
Auditorium, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Rd, Toronto
For more info: events@nwia.ca
FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/452218155159860/

Harry & Juliana SnowboyHarry & Juliana Snowboy

About Harry Snowboy:

Harry Snowboy (James Bay Cree), is an author, public speaker, cultural advisor, and a traditional healer to numerous Native communities. A former Director of an Aboriginal Police Force, Harry provides information sessions and guidance on leadership, team-work, and lateral violence in the workplace, as well as reviewing and assessing projects involving programs focused on community well-being. His extensive experience in crisis response has provided him with insight on managing both short and long-term crises. He has also provided guidance to organizations seeking to incorporate holistic approaches on problematic issues facing many Native communities. These discussions are geared towards fostering understanding and bridging the gap between traditional and non-Indigenous belief systems (Languages – English, Cree).

About Juliana Matoush-Snowboy:

 Juliana Matoush-Snowboy (James Bay Cree), holds a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario. She is trained in suicide intervention (ASSIST, 2002), spent six years as the Social and Health Planning and Programming Officer for CBHSSJB in Chisasibi, Quebec, and worked as an interviewer for Health Canada in Eeyou Astchee. She works closely with her husband, Harry Snowboy, in running various traditional and healing gatherings both in Cree and urban communities, as well as offering drug and alcohol awareness seminars. She also facilitates training and coaching for women’s sweat lodge ceremonials. (Languages – English, French, Cree.)

Rattlechild Sundance Rattlechild Sundance 

About the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto:

The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is a membership-based, charitable organization located in the heart of downtown Toronto in a beautifully renovated heritage building. Since 1962 the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto has been a key meeting place for all people, of all nations, from across Canada and all over the world. As Toronto’s oldest Indigenous community organization and one of the original Friendship Centres in Canada, the NCCT provides social, recreational, cultural and spiritual services for the Indigenous community and visitors alike.