Walk softly on the land

Pam Patterson and Christine Durant are social/cultural workers living in Prince Edward County. They have been unpacking, over the years, oft-entrenched ideologies that have harmed and continue to harm individuals and the land. There is a certain facility in pointing to historic figures such as Sir John A. Macdonald as perpetrators, but the issues are so complex, and policies remain woven into the very fabric of our societies, governments and lives. This is personal and political, and many are implicated.

Patterson and Durant intend to activate a visual/textual conversation. They do not to presume to adopt an Indigenous voice but rather intend to explore ways we can acknowledge what/who has been damaged by these ideas and practices and recognise the need to take up these issues as we tread softly together on the land.

Through intentional walking, looking and listening, we will connect. This connection is established through simultaneous photographing and viewing of each other’s photos taken while walking using WhatsApp.

This event asks participants to step at 12 noon on October 3 onto the Millennium Trail at different locations in Prince Edward County. How might this trail, as a remnant of a railway that connected the County, be a metaphor for Sir John A’s legacy? Did the Trans-Canada Railway unite or injure people as/for “nation”? Is this trail suggestive of an attempted recovery of “natural” space? Does it speak to other travels made by Indigenous people, colonists, Loyalists, residents or visiting tourists? Complex connections emerge.

For 60 mins each participant will photograph what they see as they walk. The images will pop up into each person’s WhatsApp feed. Patterson and Durant will respond in image and text. What will remain will be a record of our conversations and of our attempts to unravel the impact of national policies and individual actions that have affected, and continue to affect, the use, loss and preservation of “land”.

You will need to download WhatsApp (it’s free) onto your phone. Open this link to join the Walking softly on the land… WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRiByPmoo0wF7EsNJ9wTpr

Pam Patterson is going to step onto the trail at noon in Bloomfield near VanGrootheest’s vegetable stand, if others want to walk with her.

There will be an exhibit accompanying this event entitled What may I … on for the weekend only at Carbon Art & Design. Both the event and exhibit are sponsored by Carbon Art & Design, 281b Main Street, Picton.