This painting represents perseverance, and is symbolic of what Canada’s Inuk population had to do to survive during events like the Inuit Displacement that began in the 1950’s; as explained below.

In the 1950s, several Inuit families from Innuksuac were forced to relocate by the federal government to Resolute Bay and Grise Fjord in the high Arctic. Community relocation was a direct result of governmental administrative and development practices. Three families from Pond Inlet were also relocated in order to assist the Innuksuac families with adjustment to the unfamiliar environment. The families were left without sufficient supplies for making appropriate clothing and tents. They were unfamiliar with the wildlife and had to adjust to long periods of 24 hour darkness/light. They were told that they would be returned home after two years if they wished, but these promises were not honoured by the federal government (Tester & Peter, 1994).

Artist: Austin Elijah, age 25

I am from Southwold Ontario, Oneida Nation, and I am a film maker and musician. In the community I make short films about my language and culture. Making those films made me proud of what I was doing for my community, and who I am representing in my heritage to show to future generations. That is what these paintings mean to me; they are something to show to those who come after me. I want to preserve my culture, almost like I am a warrior saving my people. It’s a good feeling; that’s what these paintings are giving me. I am proud and honoured to be asked to use my talents from the Creator in this way. To Queen’s University, I am so thankful.

Artist #2: Thomas McMahon, age 29

My name is Thomas McMahon, and I am a Métis man from Ontario. I was the second artist working on this painting.

The painting is of a mother and her children who live in Northern Canada. The vision for this particular painting is that the mother is sitting with her children passing down knowledge and traditions that have been taught to her by her Elders and her own parents.

Artist: Austin Elijah, age 25

I am from Southwold Ontario, Oneida Nation, and I am a film maker and musician. In the community I make short films about my language and culture. Making those films made me proud of what I was doing for my community, and who I am representing in my heritage to show to future generations. That is what these paintings mean to me; they are something to show to those who come after me. I want to preserve my culture, almost like I am a warrior saving my people. It’s a good feeling; that’s what these paintings are giving me. I am proud and honoured to be asked to use my talents from the Creator in this way. To Queen’s University, I am so thankful.

 Artist #2: Thomas McMahon, age 29

My name is Thomas McMahon, and I am a Métis man from Ontario. I was the second artist working on this painting.

My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake; it will be the artists who give them their spirit back. – Louis Riel

It has been a long journey to bring a country of people together. People who belong to the same mother earth as each other. We have come a long way, but a long way to go we have; whatever the blood that runs in your veins encompasses, it’s our hearts that brings us together as one people. There is no returning to make a new beginning; but together we decide the ending.

Artist #1: John Palmer, age 37

My name is John Palmer, and I am a proud Aboriginal man from the Mohawks of Quinte Bay. Growing up I was not given the opportunity to know much about what it meant to be Mohawk, and now I look back and feel sad that I did not find out the traditional way sooner. I now have my own children which I pass on everything I learn to them; it is my duty as a father, but also a teacher, because we are all teachers in our own way. When I was offered to take part in this artwork for Queen’s I was honoured that I could showcase my culture in such a positive way. Assisting with this particular painting with the Metis theme, assisted me in wanting to also learn more about other people in Canada (Metis) who are classified as “Aboriginal”, and not just First Nations like myself.

Artist #2: Manley Elwood Jones (Kegadonce), age 68

I was born on Neyaahiinigming First Nation. I am Ojibway, and a part of the Otter clan. It is a great privilege to participate and have my artwork displayed at Queen’s University. This opportunity gives me the honour of showing our First Nations culture and heritage through art. I am proud to be a First Nations man and artist.

My painting is symbolic of the traditional items that I can remember from growing up and being taught. I still remember the Wampum belts being used as a guide to narrate the Haudenosaunee history, traditions and laws. I can still taste the traditional foods (berries, beans, corn) that we used to grow and eat; that we used for ceremonies. That pipe represents the burning of that tobacco that we smoke and lay down to offer prayers and give thanks to all the living things—plants, animals, water, the sun and the moon—which provide us all on mother earth with what we need to survive.

Artist:  Joseph Sickles, age 38

I am of Iroquois Confederation from Oneida First Nation; Bear Clan.

The three pillars Tekanawita/the Peace Maker; Skenna/Peace; Kasa:stensera/ Power and Kanikonriioh/ the Good Mind-Spirit are the three concepts that are essential to the whole of learning on Mother Earth. Not just the Mohawk Nation, these three learning gifts are the foundation of the Kai ia nare kowa/ great law of peace, still in practice today where the Iroquois Confederacy reign; the oldest functioning sovereign democracy in the world. We of the Haudenosaunnee Nations wish to invite every nation of the world to follow the roots of peace back to their source in order to preserve the minds of the next 7 generations.

Artist: Cameron ‘Bubzy’ Martin, age 40

Tewasarake Kaniakehaka Wakataioni Nation: Wolf Clan; Iroquois Confederacy Ohswe: Ken

tentsi tewanoweraton ne tekanawita ta non skenna kowa. Ne ne sonkwiatison neyetinistenha.

I am happy to participate in the Queen’s University Art project. It makes me feel good to contribute. Art is its own language, and a bridge between our Nations; a positive first step toward peaceful reconciliation.

Ohna-ehto-wakiro

Nia weh