The Talking Path

×

Expand

Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, " The Talking Path," 2021

The Talking Path

Artists participating in this show include Elder Rita Rogers, Elder Hazel Robinson, Knowledge Keeper Fran Rogers, Knowledge Keeper Paulette Seniantha, Knowledge Keeper Loriann Gignac, Elder Helper Lonny Potts, Youth Artist Kîsikâw-Pîsim Burnham,  Youth Artist Breanna Fonnebo, Youth Artist Stein Fonnebo, Youth Artist Marilyn Ross, Youth Artist Melaney Scott, Youth Artist Allyson Scott, Youth Artist Brandon Horseman.

Rooted in the Oral Tradition of Indigenous cultures of The Peace Region, the artworks in The Talking Path represent collected spoken words and stories handed down for generations. In their integrated, authentic and visual forms, they tell the stories of diverse joint journeys between Indigenous Elders, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous Youths honouring, respecting, and sharing holistic ways of knowing and well-being in family and community.

Told and retold many times throughout an individual’s life, Oral Stories echo the inheritance of a cultural group. Oral Stories may include songs, prayers, epics, stories, histories, speeches, poems, spiritual messages, sacred teachings as well as experiential and sensory knowledge. Nurturing a sense of belonging and identity, Oral Stories speak to the inter-related, multi-levelled nature of Indigenous cultural and sacred teachings to maintain a spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental balance in everyday life.

Developed and facilitated in partnership with the Traditional Paths Society of Grande Prairie, The Talking Path acknowledges the past, the present and the future. At its core, The Talking Path embodies the multi-layered caring with which Traditional Knowledge is held in-between generations and the role and responsibility each generation is required to fulfill to radiate its daily practice and vitality.

In collaboration with the Traditional Paths Society of Grande Prairie, this exhibition was curated by Sabine Schneider, Curator, Learning.

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie acknowledges the homeland of the many diverse First Nations and Métis people whose ancestors have walked this land since time immemorial. We are grateful to work, live and learn on the traditional territory of Treaty 8.

**Please be aware that the exhibition will open to the public on October 1, as September 30 is National Truth and Reconciliation Day**

On September 30, the Gallery will be closed in acknowledgement of National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Our closure is in honour of those we lost through residential schools, for the resilience of the survivors and their families and to publicly commemorate this tragic history and ongoing legacy. Our preference, rather than visiting us on this day, is for everyone to consider their role in reconciliation.  

Many resources are available to assist you in learning more about this issue and about our collective responsibilities around reconciliation. One such resource is on the Government of Canada website. Begin your learning journey.