The Art of Reconciliation is dedicated to serve and attend the communities located in in the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples including the lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations in the Greater Victoria, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations (W̱JOȽEȽP [Tsartlip], BOḰEĆEN [Pauquachin], SȾÁUTW̱ [Tsawout], and W̱SIKEM [Tseycum]) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, and to the west the Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations. We respectfully acknowledge that we live and learn within these traditional territories.
The Art of Reconciliation project explores how young adults feel about reconciliation and helps them express those feelings through art. Some of that artwork will be created for the general public to interact with and possibly inspire them to reflect on their own feelings about reconciliation as only art can do.
- $250 honorarium provided for the completion of the program and participation to the documentation (see below);
- Work with skilled Indigenous and non-Indigenous mentors and facilitators;
- Receive valuable training about art making, reconciliation and Indigenous justice;
- Showcase artwork at a public art exhibit;
- Receive a certificate of completion and be publicly recognized for your contributions to the program.
All art making materials will be provided free of charge thanks to our program sponsors. No prior art making experience is required but it is certainly welcome.
All cultural backgrounds are welcome. Participants will be selected to ensure representations from all cultural backgrounds. Organizers will take extra care to reach out to communities who tend to be underrepresented through our participating partner organizations. Participation is open to everyone over the age of 18, living in the CRD and Greater Victoria area.
Program sessions will occur in person starting January until April 2023 at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre.
Participants will be invited to document and report their attitudes, thoughts and feelings around reconciliation throughout the program. Dr. Frederick Grouzet (University of Victoria) will oversee the collection of this material and comply with the Human Research Ethics Board.
We are documenting this project to share with other communities who may want to lead their own versions of the Art of Reconciliation. Documenting the project will show why more reconciliation-based programs are needed and the impact of these activities.
