Month: October 2017

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 Nordlum, Maya 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.

Kwe Performance Series: Ulali Project

Native Women in the Arts is pleased to announce the Kwe Performance Series: Ulali Project, in partnership with St. Anne’s Anglican Church and Big Medicine Studio. 

The evening will include a performance by world renowned a cappella group Ulali Project, with guest artist. This concert is the first event of our Kwe Performance Series for the second season.

Toronto Performance: Saturday, November 4, 8:00pm – 11:00pm
Venue: St. Anne’s Anglican Church, 270 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto, ON
Tickets: Adults $20.00/Elders, Students, Underemployed & Art Workers $10.00

FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/119324072077567/

On Thursday, November 3, at Nipissing First Nation, Pura Fé and Jennifer Kreisberg of Ulali Project will present a free community workshop at Big Medicine Studio, followed by a community performance. Pura Fé and Jennifer Kreisberg will perform and discuss hand drum songs, invite participants to join in, and answer questions.

Nipissing Community Workshop: Friday, November 3, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue: Big Medicine Studio, 161 Couchie Memorial Drive, North Bay, ON
Admission: Free

Nipissing Community Performance: Friday, November 3, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Venue: Big Medicine Studio, 161 Couchie Memorial Drive, North Bay, ON
Admission: PWYC

FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/319680078441416/
For more info: events@nwia.ca


Ulali Project

Ulali Project

In 1987, the a capella trio Ulali was formed by original members Pura Fé, Jennifer Kreisberg, and Soni Moreno. The group really hit its stride with their debut album Mahk Jchi. It seemed like that Ulali was everywhere and their songs were played across Turtle Island and around the world. Soon after the phenomenal success of Mahk Jchi, the Miramax film (now a classic film) Smoke Signals was released in theaters. The film by Cheyenne-Arapaho filmmaker Chris Eyre featured the Ulali songs Forgive Our Fathers Suite (aka Wahjeeleh-Yihm) and All My Relations. Both songs were highlighted in some of the film’s most poignant scenes. The film experienced the same tremendous market crossover and international success that Ulali’s music had. Ulali’s audience went off the charts. Ulali traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe performing at venues like Woodstock ‘94, the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the 1997 Smithsonian’s Folkways 50th Anniversary Gala at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, the 1998 WOMAD Festival in Seattle, the 1998 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, V Day 2001 at Madison Square Garden, the 2001 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. In 2004 they performed at the Kennedy Center and the National Mall for the opening of the new Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. The list goes on in a wide range of impressive venues and benefit performances. They performed in Canada and abroad in Brazil, Corsica, Fiji, Germany, Italy, Japan, Morocco, New Caledonia and Portugal.

The current incarnation of Ulali Project reformed in 2014. Their first performance was at the River People Music Festival in North Carolina, a festival celebrating southeastern American Indian music and traditions. Their haunting voices and rich percussion have connected with audiences across the United States, and they have shared their music in honor of environmental causes and Indigenous justice issues. The group-currently made up of original founders Pura Fé and Jennifer Kreisberg, along with new members Charly Lowry and Layla Locklear-brings together a unique blend of Native American music, including jazz, folk, and soul.

St. Anne’s Anglican Church

St. Anne’s Church was founded in 1862 to serve the small rural hamlet of Brockton.  As the city grew up around the church, the number of parishioners outgrew the small neo-gothic village church, and in 1907 the present church was constructed in the style of the Byzantine Revival.  In the early 1920s the church interior was decorated and painted with murals by artists who would later become members of Canada’s famous Group of Seven. These early 20th Century architecture and art decisions are the foundation for a continuing relationship between St. Anne’s and the arts community in Toronto.

Big Medicine Studio

Big Medicine Studio is located on the lakeshore of Lake Nipissing on Nipissing First Nation, near North Bay, Ontario. Big Medicine Studio is a 1,200 square foot multi-use studio with 14-foot ceiling height and seating capacity for 60 people. It is privately owned and operated by Penny Couchie and Sid Bobb.

Since it’s opening in October 2010, Big Medicine Studio has hosted four Salons to audiences up to 60 people, hosted a ten day mentorship with an internationally renowned theatre artist in story weaving, hosted a 7-day Arts For All workshop engaging 15 participants in visual, dance, music and theatre arts activities, hosted a number of research and development residencies in new works for dance and theatre, hosted a seven day workshop in Contemporary Indigenous Dance and Dramaturgy, holds ongoing dance,  theatre, visual arts, music and media arts for people of all ages and abilities and hosted many traditional ceremonies for the community in Nipissing First Nation, North Bay and surrounding area.

Big Medicine Studio is the only dedicated arts studio of it’s kind in the region, situated on a First Nations. Built as a home for the creation, development and exhibition of performing and visual arts, it is a place where community comes together to celebrate and engage in arts and culture.

Kwe Performance Series

The Kwe Performance Series is the evolution of NWIA’s long-standing Catalyst Series. Under the new name and with new direction, the Kwe Performance Series presents performances and workshops by performing artists from diverse nations and communities. The events always take place both in Toronto and in varying on-reserve and underserviced communities in arts in Ontario.

NWIA: Artistic Director Job Posting

JOB POSTING

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – NATIVE WOMEN IN THE ARTS

 PLEASE SEND A RESUME/CV WITH A COVER LETTER TO INFO@NWIA.CA

 

MISSION AND MANDATE:

Native Women in the Arts (NWIA) is Canada’s leading arts organization for Indigenous women artists working at the intersection of traditional and contemporary practices. NWIA supports multi-disciplinary artistic expression by connecting, training and presenting emerging, mid-career and established female artists whose work reflects a commitment to art, culture, community, and the advancement of Indigenous people. NWIA serves as a site of artistic exchange, encouraging dialogue between artists and audiences about social, cultural and political issues and their relationship to artistic expression. Though focused on the development of Indigenous women as creators, our projects are inclusive of youth, men and two-spirited artists, and our programming connects to a diverse participant and audience base, predominantly across Ontario.

 

We are currently seeking a dynamic professional with proven experience in indigenous arts to become the creative and administrative lead of the organization as Artistic Director. This is an exciting leadership position, involving directing artistic and community projects, management of a small team of staff, leading grant writing and reporting, working with a dedicated Board of Directors, and allows for creative and professional growth including occasional travel in-province. This position offers a starting annual salary of $40,000, with 4 weeks paid vacation, sick days and cultural leave, is 4-days (32 hours) a week with some flexibility in terms of hours worked in-office.

 

Qualifications and Experience Required:

  • Strong leadership, organizational and communication skills: highly detailed; self-motivated.
  • A deep understanding of, commitment to and engagement with the vision of Native Women in the Arts
  • 3-5 years of not-for-profit experience in a management and/or production in the arts and culture sector
  • Knowledge of and experience within Indigenous arts and culture
  • Experience in managing and producing community-engaged arts projects or programs.
  • Proven success in grant writing, with an understanding of the current arts funding climate. Fundraising experience will be considered an asset.
  • Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including a proven ability to engage sponsors, donors and community leaders
  • Demonstrated experience managing budgets, including budget preparation, forecasting and reporting to funders.
  • Demonstrated project management, administration and organizational skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong computer skills (Excel, Word) required.
  • Experience working with volunteer boards and committees.

 

In brief, duties include but are not limited to:

Production

  • Programs and coordinates all aspects of Native Women in the Arts’ projects: performances, concerts, exhibits, publications, symposiums, and community development projects.

 Fundraising and Grant Writing

  • Identifies opportunities and prepares grant applications for funding to all levels of government, these include but not limited to the Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and Canadian Heritage.
  • Prepares final reports and financial information associated with government grants.
  • Works with the Board of Directors and consultants to develop fundraising strategies for individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and special events.
  • Prepares proposals for funding to corporations, foundations, and other sources of sponsorship.

Management

  • Manages all seasonal and contractual staff, delegating responsibilities in areas related to their employment contract with the Board of Directors.
  • Oversees budget and payment of staff and projects invoices
  • Oversees, with oversight and support from the Policy and Operations Committee, hiring of new staff, employee reviews, exit interviews if requested, and termination of employees.

Community Liaison

  • Represents NWIA to funders, arts presenters, partners, corporations, individuals, government, foundations, and sponsors, with support from the Board of Directors.

 Promotion & Marketing

  • Promotes and publicizes all projects, events and activities at NWIA with the assistance of the Events Committee and NWIA Staff.

 Finances

  • Prepares all project and operating budgets, and final reporting, including annual audit with assistance from the Board and Bookkeeper.

 

How to Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a detailed resume and cover letter no later than October 23, 2017 at 5:00 pm EST to info@nwia.ca. Flexible start date, with a desired start in November 2017. No phone inquiries, please. Due to the high-level of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We encourage applications from First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, and members of diverse cultural communities and LGBT2Q-identified persons.

 

Contact Info: Hiring Committee, info@nwia.ca

 

Women’s Hand Drumming in partnership with IndigenEd and the Centre for Indigenous Theatre

Native Women in the Arts, in partnership with IndigenEd & Centre for Indigenous Theatre, is pleased to present Women’s Hand Drumming.

This series of women’s hand-drumming sessions are intended as practice and learning spaces for emerging and novice drummers. Origin stories of songs, protocols, leading songs, and cultural contexts will be integrated into the teaching of each song & participants are encouraged to share their knowledge. These sessions aim to respect a diversity of teachings & beliefs – all participants are asked to attend with this intention in mind.

Fall Schedule:

Thursday, Oct. 12 – Veronica – Intention, Connection & Gratitude
Thursday, Oct. 26 – Aqua – Two Spirit Truth
Thursday, Nov. 9 – Veronica – Being Responsible for our Energy
Thursday, Nov. 23 – Veronica – Respect, Shaming & Moon Lodge
Thursday, Dec. 7 – Veronica – Affirmations & Manifesting

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Address: 180 Shaw St, Suite 209, Toronto, ON M6J 2W5

These sessions are open to all female-identified and non-binary individuals. A light snack and refreshments will be provided. Children are always welcome. Please note that childcare is not provided. Sessions are DROP-IN & FREE though registration is requested. Please send your name and email address to drumming@nwia.ca, along with any questions you may have. There is no deadline for registration, and this circle will invite new members continuously.

Goals:

1. Gather and empower female identified people through music and ceremony.

2. Revitalize the traditional principles of gender equality mechanisms and spiritual practices and recognize rematriation in progress as a way to decolonize.

Featured Hand Drummer Hosts:

Veronica Johnny, Muskose’wukaw pussa’w Iskwao (Meadow Valley Woman) – is of mixed Cree Metis & Dene First Nations descent. She is a traditional & contemporary two-spirit Indigenous hand-drummer from Fort Smith, NWT. Veronica shares indigenous teachings, hosts drum circles and sings healing songs for the good of all life everywhere. She facilitates arts-education workshops including self-esteem, music and cultural teachings. Veronica is also a singer/songwriter and the front woman, vocalist and manager of The Johnnys, a high-energy rock band she founded with husband Dave Johnny; and an artist entrepreneur as the founder of IndigenEd – Indigenous Education for all – “creating understanding between Indigenous and non-indigenous people.”

Aqua Nibii Waawaaskone (Water Flower) is a hand-drummer and singer/songwriter. Aqua crafts music reflecting her deep respect for Indigenous traditions, and determination to thrive as an artist, Métis woman of Ojibwe descent. On one hand her process is one of purposeful reflection and healing, translating life’s challenges into melody and verse to uplift herself and others. On the other, she is mindful of remaining open to universal energies, allowing spirit to channel music through her, unfiltered, with surprising, powerful results. Aqua works to empower youth and women, is a longstanding facilitator of community drum circles, a partner with several Indigenous organizations, regularly collaborates with like-minded artists, and facilitates cultural workshops across Ontario.

Notes:

Along with learning and singing drum songs, each session will focus on one or more topics – indigenous teachings & perspectives will be shared within each.

To encourage giving the participants more experience, each facilitator will choose a helper each session.

Join the FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1475293159229919/