Indigenous Placemaking Through Storytelling

County Arts Artist Member Kaya Joan will moderate an important community conversation on storytelling as a vehicle for Indigenous placemaking with fellow artists Aylan Couchie and JP Longboat. Aylan, JP, and Kaya will share stories of their work in – and engaging with – the public realm through language, performance, mapping, place naming, public art, and more. Together, we will explore opportunities to harness the power of storytelling to counter Indigenous erasure, and learn about and celebrate Indigenous ways of knowing and creating, in our public spaces.

What is Indigenous placemaking? Indigenous placemaking aims to restore an Indigenous presence within the natural and built environment that may be expressed through language, art and design; is rooted in Indigenous Knowledge; and is approached through Indigenous participation and collaboration (U of T Scarborough).

This panel discussion will take place in the Macaulay Church Museum, which houses the permanent “A Path Forward” exhibit, co-curated by Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, and The County Museums. It is an exhibit that explores Truth and Reconciliation in the County, and the shared past, present, and future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in PEC. Contemporary Indigenous works of art and story interspersed with a non-static historical narrative create a space for reflection, education and guidance on our path forward together. The map portion of the exhibit (in English, French and Mohawk) can be found here. We encourage you to explore the exhibit at your own pace either before or following the panel discussion.

Taking place on June 16th from 2-4PM, this is a free event thanks to The County’s Public Art Planning process, which is being led by County Arts in partnership with the Municipality of Prince Edward County. Registration is encouraged as seating is very limited.

We are currently running a fundraising campaign for our Indigenous Voices Fund grants program – aiming to raise $3000 by June 30th, 2024 to take advantage of a time-sensitive matching opportunity and award a total of $15,000 in grants to local Indigenous artists in the 2024-25 round. If you are so inclined, donations to help us reach this goal would be most welcome! Donations are tax-receiptable and easily made by clicking here (choose “Indigenous Voices Fund” from the drop-down menu).

This event is part of an Art Symposium featuring talks by Art in the County’s 2024 Jurors. Other events include:

8 Ways to Build Your Art Collection in 2024 with Claire Kyle
Sunday June 16, 2024 11-12:30PM at the County Arts Lab, Picton

Artist Talk and Environmental Portraiture Workshop with Darren Rigo
Sunday June 16, 2024 2-4PM at the County Arts Lab, Picton

The 31st Annual Art in the County Juried Exhibition and Sale will be held June 21 – July 7, 2024. For more info visit www.artinthecounty.com.