Join us for a special art workshop led by Lana Whiskeyjack to support Indigenous Language Revitalization.
Details
Friday, July 12, 2024, 4:30 – 6:30pm
Enterprise Square in downtown Edmonton, Room 2-620I (10230 Jasper Ave).
Art supplies, snacks, and beverages provided
Maximum 18 participants. Limited spots available at the door, so please RSVP in advance by filling out this form or emailing thepolyglotmagazine@gmail.com.
Participants in the workshop will also be considered for publication in The Polyglot's Issue 14, dedicated to Indigenous language revitalization through the arts, in partnership with SILR.
Notes on arriving: Enter through the front doors facing Jasper Avenue. Go up the escalator by the security desk and granite bear sculpture. On the second floor, go through the glass doors beside the escalator to enter the classroom space. Turn left after the washrooms and you'll see the ceremonial space: a glass wall with black mountains on it. Enterprise Station is the nearest LRT station. Limited street parking is available along 102 street and 103 street. YMCA Parkade is near.
Workshop: nêhiyawêwin is an expression of our four-part experience of this land
We will explore our relationship to nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) and other Indigenous languages through mixed-media (watercolours, inks, image transfers, etc.) on paper. We will introduce some foundational Cree words that express the philosophy of the nêhiyawêwin and why it is foundational to wahkohtowin (kinship).
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for you if you are interested in exploring, strengthening, or revitalizing your Indigenous language(s) through making art and being in community. If you do not consider yourself fluent in your Indigenous language(s), do not worry. We understand Canada’s painful history of linguicide, and look forward to your insights on Indigenous language and culture revitalization or any other related ideas you would like to explore through your art.
Who is Lana Whiskeyjack?
Lana Whiskeyjack is a nêhiyaw (Cree) visual storyteller, scholartist and educator from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, who now calls amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) her home. As an associate professor in the department of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Alberta, Lana's academic work is complemented by her role as co-owner and curator of Whiskeyjack Art House. Her art is a powerful reflection of her cultural heritage, lived experiences, and advocacy for Indigenous representation and rights. Her scholarship is grounded within nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) and nêhiyaw ways of being and knowing. Her current collaborative research explores gender and sexual diversity, rites of passage, rematriation, kinship systems (wahkohtowin) and health and wellness.
This workshop is organized by The Polyglot, in partnership with Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) and the University of Alberta.
What is SILR?
In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, the Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) project aims to support Indigenous language sovereignty through community-led initiatives that protect, preserve, promote, revitalize, transfer, strengthen, and sustain languages.
SILR envisions a future where Indigenous languages in Canada are healthy, vibrant, and widely used across generations and in various domains such as homes, schools, workplaces, and on the land. This vision is supported by integrating appropriate language revitalization approaches and tools into community and educational policies and practices.
What is The Polyglot?
The Polyglot is a community, magazine, and publisher that was created out of an overwhelming urge to respect, promote, and celebrate heritage and Indigenous languages that are often ignored or neglected in the literary, art, and publishing worlds.
We envision a world where languages are an inspiring catalyst for experimenting & creating together. Our mission is to be a hub for multilingual creativity. We advocate for multilingual voices to be heard through projects that harness the power of art, words and technology. Discover more on our website.
Next in the workshop series: FREE POETRY WORKSHOP with Anna Marie Sewell on Saturday, July 20, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Stay tuned to our social media and newsletter for all the details!
Questions?
Email thepolyglotmagazine@gmail.com, or reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter!
Painting in cover photo by Lana Whiskeyjack