The Project
Calgary Arts Development is working with the Treaty 7 Nations (Blackfoot Confederacy, Îyârhe Nakoda Nations and Tsuut’ina Nation) and the Métis Nation in Alberta on future public art initiatives that are community-led and rooted in reconciliation and cultural revitalization.
The goals of the program are to foster inter-community and long-term relationships with community leaders, members and artists of Treaty 7 and the Métis Nation in Alberta based on listening, respect and building trust. The program seeks to support the sharing of Indigenous stories and the development of Indigenous public art in Calgary. Through artist development opportunities and public art commissions, the program will build capacity for Indigenous artists. Public art projects commissioned through the program may become part of the City of Calgary’s Public Art Collection, ensuring their ongoing preservation and interpretation.
Blackfoot Confederacy Initiative
Guided by the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations, including the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and Amskapi Piikani Nations, this project aims to surface and document the Blackfoot stories of Mohkinsstsis through meaningful, sustained engagement with Nation members. The outcomes of these engagements will help shape future public art initiatives, informed directly by community needs and perspectives.
This initiative is being supported by a steering committee made up of artists, community leaders and arts professionals connected to the social and cultural facets of the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations’ artistic communities. The group includes members from all four Nations and will provide guidance, share experiences and identify common barriers to help shape how we move forward with broader community engagement
If you have questions, or would like to be involved, please contact Tamara Cardinal, Project Lead, at tamara.cardinal@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or Jared Tailfeathers, Project Lead, at jared.tailfeathers@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Îyârhe Nakoda Projects
Working with the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations, this project will be community-led and outcomes will be informed by community values and desires. Through community engagement, Îyârhe Nakoda community members will help guide the direction for a public art initiative in Calgary.
If you have questions, or would like to be involved, please contact Bruno Canadien, Project Lead, at bruno.canadien@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or Sarah Houle, Project Lead, at sarah.houle@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Tsuut’ina Project
Working with the Tsuut’ina First Nation, this project will be community-led and outcomes will be informed by community values and desires. Through community engagement, Tsuut’ina community members will help guide the direction for a public art initiative in Calgary.
If you have questions, or would like to be involved, please contact Riel Manywounds, Project Lead, at riel.manywounds@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or Sarah Houle, Project Lead, at sarah.houle@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
Métis Project
Guided by the Métis Nation in Alberta, this project aims to celebrate and bring more visibility to Métis culture by sharing important cultural knowledge, histories and the ongoing legacies of the Métis peoples through public art.
The initial phase of this project is engagement with the Métis community to learn the needs of the community with the intention to create a public art initiative. Through community engagement, Métis citizens and Métis artists will help guide the direction of the development of a public art initiative that provides opportunities to share the Métis stories of Otoskwunee, also known as Calgary.
If you have questions, or would like to be involved, please contact Tiffany Wollman, Project Lead, at tiffany.wollman@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or Alexis Kinloch, Project Lead, at alexis.kinloch@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.