Latest news with #IndigenousPerspectives
Hamilton Spectator
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Artwork honours warrior way, culture, stories in Indigenous Perspectives gallery
CANMORE — Daisynae LaBelle grew up in a home where art covered every wall. Exposed to painting at a young age through her father, Dennis LaBelle, Daisynae would doodle dancers and her depictions of warriors as she travelled to ceremonies and powwows across Canada and the U.S. '[My father] is kind of like a Van Gogh, he's been painting throughout the years at our home and on our walls. It's basically like a personal gallery, seeing all of his hard work as a child,' she said. Encouraged in her potential by her father and influenced by the style and works of illustrator Paul Goble, Daisynae learned that what she had been emulating in her doodles was called ledger art. 'Ledger art evolved from the Plains Indians, from the buffalo hides – its pictorial art. When buffalo became scarce after the U.S. federal government's eradication programs, Natives began painting on paper, any paper they can find – any government paper,' she said. ' So it's a traditional art form that's been around 100 years, 120 years.' Fast forward 10 years, the two Îyârhe Nakoda artists are now showcasing their work alongside each other. 'It feels like an honour and a big step up to be side by side with him,' she said. The father-daughter duo are two of nine artists showcasing their work in the Indigenous Perspectives show at the Three Sisters Gallery in Elevation Place. '[The gallery] is in the spirit of acknowledging that we are in a time of reconciliation and that we celebrate and honour those that are our neighbours in Treaty 7 – we have some artists from Treaty 6 as well,' said Sue Hayduk, the Town of Canmore's art and culture coordinator. Running for its third year and marking the start of National Indigenous History Month, the gallery honours Indigenous culture, tradition and stories, while inviting conversation and reconciliation through art. Acrylic paintings, fish scale art, wet plate photography and pyrography are among the mediums used by the nine artists in the gallery. 'Some of the art is really telling of the warrior way and warrior culture and some of the natural order, tradition and stories that come from Indigenous tellings and relations to wildlife and the land,' said Hayduk. Daisynae's acrylic canvas paintings 'Honour Through Survival' depict a Nakoda holy man and a Nakoda warrior. She said the Nakoda holy man, or pipe holder, has one of the most sacred responsibilities in the tribe. 'The pipe holder isn't just a ceremonial figure, he's a spiritual protector and messenger who speaks to spirits on behalf of our people,' she said. 'His role is very heavy. It's not taken lightly.' Daisynae chose to illustrate these figures through ledger art as a way to honour them, keeping their presence alive. '[The Nakoda warriors] are not just a figure from the past, but what is a powerful presence that still holds meaning today,' she said. 'I really hope that [people] look at these and feel the heavy presence and the strong ties to our tribe and not just our tribe but Native people in general,' said Daisynae. 'Even if they don't understand it, I hope they can see it and feel the presence and maybe question, 'I wonder what that is?' and maybe they'll look it up.' The gallery also welcomed several first time artists. Among those is photographer and beadwork artist Carla Blanche Fox. In her first ever gallery, Fox displays her photographic series 'Cracked Houses.' The three images depict abandoned family homes that belonged to her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother in Mînî Thnî. 'That's where my memory of trauma starts, is from these houses,' said Fox. In her artist summary, Fox writes about her childhood experiences in each home. The houses carry with them memories of trauma, domestic violence and alcoholism, but it is also in her great grandmother's home, 'The white artist house,' where Fox recalls first being introduced to art. 'In the chaos of alcoholism is where I learned the beauty of art,' she wrote in her statement. Photography, beadwork, acting and painting are now the vessels through which she processes pain and shares her story. ' I wrote [in the statement] that I wasn't ashamed of where I come from and where I grew up. It's just the healing part of my journey and I just wanted to put it out there that people don't have to be ashamed of where they come from, especially if you're a woman and Indigenous,' she said. Fox hopes her story, illustrated through her photography, will help others acknowledge their pasts, too. 'Some people don't like to talk about their past or what they grew up in. I just wanted to influence others that it's OK to talk about your past and where you came from … to heal,' she said. The work of Les Palmer, James Brittain, Autumn Whiteway, Gavin Ear, Gordon Wesley and Ron Whiteway is also on display in the collection. 'I like that they're doing Indigenous Perspectives. My dad said there wasn't really much like that back in the 90s and 2000s – everyone's storytelling, everyone's views … that's very important,' said Daisynae. The Indigenous Perspectives gallery opened on June 4 at the Three Sisters Gallery with a blessing and traditional song and dance from members of the Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation. The artwork will be displayed on the second floor of Elevation Place until Oct. 6. Along with the gallery, several events will be held throughout the month to celebrate Indigenous history, including film screenings, cultural workshops, an Indigenous market and a powwow at the Civic Centre Plaza on June 14. For more information on National Indigenous History Month events in Canmore, visit: . The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
10-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Another Trudeau-appointed senator joins Conservative caucus
Sen. Mary Jane McCallum of Manitoba is now part of the Conservatives' Senate caucus — making her the second senator appointed by former prime minister Justin Trudeau to join the party this month. McCallum, who is Cree and a member of the Barren Lands First Nation, said she made the decision to join the Conservatives after consulting with chiefs and community leaders. "I feel strongly that this is a crucial step in building bridges," she said in a statement on Tuesday. "Our communities have long sought opportunities for greater collaboration and mutual understanding. By joining the Senate Conservative caucus, I hope to help broaden the conversation and ensure Indigenous perspectives are reflected across the full political spectrum." McCallum was appointed to the upper chamber in 2017 by Trudeau. She is the second senator appointed by the Liberal prime minister to join the Conservatives this month. New Brunswick Sen. David Richards joined the Conservative fold last week. McCallum and Richards — who both had been sitting as non-affiliated senators — join the Conservative caucus as its numbers have been dwindling in recent years. With the addition of McCallum, the Conservatives now have 13 members in the red chamber. But the Conservatives are still the smallest group in the Senate. The current standings in the Senate now sit at 46 senators in the Independent Senators Group, 21 in the Canadian Senators Group, 18 in the Progressive Senate Group and six non-affiliated senators, with one seat left to fill. Canadian senators must retire when they turn 75, which means that already small caucus will shrink later this year when Conservative Quebec Sen. Judith Seidman retires in September and Richards retires the following month. Newfoundland and Labrador Conservative Sen. Elizabeth Marshall is slated to retire in September of next year and Ontario Sen. Salma Ataullahjan's retirement date is set for April 2027. Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Sen. Leo Housakos, said McCallum is a "principled leader and a tireless advocate for Canada's Indigenous communities." "Her expertise and unique perspective will be invaluable as we work to strengthen the Senate's role as a forum for open debate, diversity of thought, rigorous accountability and meaningful dialogue reflective of all Canadians," Housakos said in a statement on Tuesday. CBC News asked Housakos's office if the Conservatives have been actively trying to recruit senators. "We believe that having a diverse and growing membership is vital to ensuring the health and effectiveness of the Opposition in the Senate. A strong Opposition is essential to upholding the Senate's role as a chamber of sober second thought," a statement from his office said in response.
SBS Australia
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
NITV's flagship news and current affairs program The Point elevates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' voices, returning with another community-led season filmed on Country and in-studio
Exploring First Nations perspectives on national discussions, The Point premieres Tuesday 3 June on NITV and SBS On Demand, encoring on SBS after World News Late *Images here* *Interviews available* 9 May 2025 National Indigenous Television's (NITV) flagship news and current affairs program, The Point, returns for its tenth season on Tuesday 3 June at 7.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand, and on SBS following World News Late . Each week, host John Paul Janke, a proud Wuthathi and Meriam man, joins expert panellists, community leaders and decisionmakers to explore issues that matter most to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Marking a decade on air, The Point continues to bring Indigenous perspectives to the centre of national conversations, platforming diverse perspectives from across the continent. This season features one-hour issues-based panel shows, alternating between episodes filmed in community and in studio on Cammeraygal Land in Sydney. The series remains a leading source of original journalism and breaking news. This year, The Point will once again travel across the country to engage local communities and explore real solutions for the future. Locations include Hobart (nipaluna), Darwin (Garramilla), Cherbourg (Barambah), the Torres Strait Islands (Zenadth Kes), and Melbourne (Naarm). Proud Mudburra and Wagadagam woman, and NITV's Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs, Natalie Ahmat, said: ' The Point is celebrating a decade on air and remains as vital today as when it launched with Stan Grant in 2016. We are incredibly proud of John Paul Janke and the team's tireless work, and we are excited to bring another season of essential viewing to all Australians – particularly in the wake of the Federal Election.' Host of The Point and National Indigenous Affairs Editor, John Paul Janke said: 'I'm thrilled to be working with the team on another timely season of The Point where we travel across the country to elevate community voices. It's important that these local people have a national platform to share their thoughts. Some of the locations we visit are places The Point hasn't travelled to in the last few years, so we're eager to reach more mob than ever before. At a time when disparity still exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, we hope The Point helps inform all Australians and supports a deeper understanding of First Nations matters.' Synopses: Episode 1: We Put the 'Blak' in Blacktown (Tuesday 3 June) Originally called 'Blacks Town', the western Sydney suburb is home to the largest urban First Nations population in Australia. Blacktown residents are at the epicentre of rising costs and a shortage of affordable and social housing. The Point examines how urban Mob are getting on the front foot in the big smoke. Episode 2: Treaty Now or Never? (Tuesday 10 June) Australia has never been closer to forging its first treaty with its First Nations peoples, but the way ahead remains uncertain. In Melbourne, The Point examines the 'what' and 'why' of treaty and asks whether Australia is mature enough for a conversation about the past before we forge a vision for a shared future. Episode 3: On the Wild Frontline (Tuesday 17 June) John Paul Janke goes on Country with palawa changemakers who are fighting to preserve Australia's heritage. From old-growth forests to cultural practice and traditional access to land and water, First Nations communities in Tasmania are standing up for the future. Filmed in Hobart on nipaluna Land. The Point is among NITV's comprehensive, multiplatform Indigenous news and current affairs offering. For coverage with a unique First Nations lens, watch The Point, NITV News, Nula, and Living Black, and head online to The Point premieres weekly from Tuesday 3 June at 7.30pm on NITV, and encores on SBS after SBS World News Late. It will also be available to stream free on SBS On Demand, with captions in English and subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. For screeners and images, please visit the SBS Screening Room. For a PDF of this media release, click here .
