Red to Remember
October 4th is recognized as Sisters in Spirit to remember missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks while also fighting to end colonialist violence. In Dawson we are gathering on Monday, October 5th.
Have you noticed the red clothing hanging on near Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre and along the dike trail? We’re getting ready for the Sisters in Spirit River Walk on Monday to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirit folks.
The REDress Project was created by artist Jaime Black as a visual reminder of the staggering number of Indigenous women who are no longer with us, to draw attention to the gendered and racialized nature of violent crimes against Indigenous women, and to evoke a presence through the marking of absence.
Also stop by Jimmy’s Place on Front Street to see Cutting Through Red Tape by Faye Chamberlain. The installation will be up from Friday, October 3rd to Tuesday, October 6th.
Faye’s words about Cutting Through Red Tape:
Image Credit: Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre
When I first came to the Yukon and was learning to navigate the land, a kind Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Elder told me “watch your back trail when you’re out there. Watch your back trail and you will always find your way back”. As with many teachings of “those who came before”, I would come to realize that words and stories can have many meanings.
Continuing on my journey, I have come to see that life is a trail, with many camps along the way. Family and friends are like mountains, rivers and familiar landmarks that I can look back to for guidance, comfort and knowledge of my place in the world. And my Elders, well they are the stars above, the aurora, showing me the magic, the wisdom of eternal light and the things that love can do.
Image Credit: Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre
Over the centuries, Indigenous people have persevered through annihilation, assimilation and integration by ruling foreign powers. My ancestors, the Acadian Métis would experience expulsion (Le Grande Dèrangement 1755), innocent pawns swept up in a power struggle between foreign colonizers and scattered to the seven winds. The Indian Act of 1876 gave the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) complete control over the personal, political, social, and economic life of Aboriginal people. Introduction of policies and much red tape were meant to hasten the Indian assimilation, end native customs, and pressure First Nations to give up portions of their lands for settlers.
Today, thankfully, with courage resilience and much hard work we are in the age of reconciliation. By making amends and healing, we are changing the nature of the relationship that Indigenous and non- Indigenous people have. Reconciliation, to me, is a way for individuals to reconcile with their own situation, their own story, and to come to terms with their sense of responsibility to their ancestors and to the future.
If First Nation, Métis and Inuit are to thrive we need to actively participate in the things that are important to us. Art is a way for me to give a voice to my ancestor’s connection to the land, their suffering, their pride and beauty as a nation. It is another format to bring awareness to the dark chapter of Canada’s First Nation people and honor the survivors of residential schools and make sure it never happens again.
Red is the color life and blood and in more recent times love. Women have always resisted colonization and experienced discrimination since time immemorial. In many Frist Nations cultures, women are equal to men and pass on the clans, the language and culture. They sew beautiful regalia with motifs and gifts from the land which are unique to their people. Finger woven sashes and quill work were a means for my ancestors - the People of the Red Earth- to supplement their meager incomes and enforce their identity and pride.
Today, I have come to realize, that life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.
After being surrounded for centuries by a chrysalis of subjugation, red tape and injustice, our people, like a butterfly, are showing the world their beauty with a voice that is stronger than ever.
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