Spirit Challenge: Uplifting Indigenous Artists
We are all invited to think more about Indigenous art and lift up the wonderful local artists around us. The idea for the first challenge comes after finding orange shirts for sale by a non-Indigenous person using GenAI with no indication any proceeds would return to residential school survivors. You might have art, clothing, jewelry etc. that you think is made by an Indigenous artist but what do you really know about who made it and how and why? Why does it matter?
Some information to consider:
- Fake Indigenous art is a real problem in Vancouver Canada stores
- Feds urged to crack down on fake Indigenous art, copyright breaches
- Indigenous craft businesses aim to uplift, support communities
- Appreciating Not Appropriating Indigenous Culture
Each Orange You Ready team is asked to choose an artist and meet with them to learn about them and then share their story. To help us connect with the Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis, we focus on local artists from around Saskatoon or Prince Albert. Teams submit a short video and a poster highlighting their chosen artist. Some questions include:
- Who are they?
- Where are they from?
- Who are their people?
- What kinds of art do they create?
- What is their process?
- Why do they make art?
- If the seller is non-Indigenous, where does the profit go?
- What are some of the challenges they face as Indigenous artists?
- What suggestions do the artists have for people interested in learning more or buying their art?
- What is the artist's recommendation for determining authenticity of the art?
Jusinda Rosenkerr - Team Waskawiwin ᐊᐧᐢᑲᐃᐧᐃᐧᐣ
Mercedes Goulet - Team Maachi Kashkihtow
Henry Beaudry - Jordie Gagnon
