A community celebration to unveil a large piece of art by an Indigenous artist in Oxenden was a success.
Less than a year after the Oxenden Indigenous Art Project put out a call for proposals to Indigenous artists for a piece of public art to show Oxenden neighbours’ commitment to reconciliation, Anishnaabaek artist Tauchkwe Charmaine Jenner’s portrait of Ajiijak (The Crane) was unveiled this past weekend with what organizers estimate to be about 100 people attending.
The work is displayed on the wall of the old general store (now a residence) at the intersection of Grey Road 1 and Zion Church Road. Organizers of the event say the community celebration was held with the intent of, “marking a new chapter of friendship and respect.”
“It was so amazing,” says Artist Tauchkweh Charmaine Jenner, “I was so overwhelmed at the goodness of it.”
Jenner says there was a ceremonial blessing by Elder Strong White Buffalo Woman Shirley John, and some of Jenner’s family members sang and drummed. She says, “In recognition of reconciliation and the part that the people play with working together, coming together with our good hearts and our good minds. It was really beautiful.”
Jenner says there was a land acknowledgement by Kelsey Carriere and also a talking circle and pot luck dinner.
One of the organizers, Martha McGloin says, The celebration marked the conclusion of the Oxenden Indigenous Art Project, but McGloin says the project itself is a first step. “What we’re hoping is to continue our own education about different ways of living sustainably and helping the reconciliation effort, but also inspiring other communities to think about how they can reach out, what they can do to show their commitment an build their knowledge.”
McGloin says the intersection of Grey Road 1 and Zion Road is a pleasant space, with a bench made by high school students and a common rest area for cyclists and those following the Bruce Trail.
When asked what she would like people to think of when they look at her piece Jenner says, “Even just having that First Nations piece of art, that acknowledgement that we’re still here, and for my own people as well…they go by there and it’s like an uplift of their spirit.”
Jenner says, “The painting has a lot of meaning for my people in it,” adding, if you stop to look at it, there is an explanation of the details regarding the symbolism in the painting.
She says taking part in the project was uplifting, noting, “You can’t change the past. You can’t change it. You can acknowledge it, you can have the understanding around it an move forward in a better way so that the future is going to be better for all the children,” says Jenner.
Jenner says talking to one another, sharing stories and coming together on projects like this one helps everyone move forward in a good way, explaining, “It helps build relationships of indigenous and non-indigenous, to bridge that gap and to make it stronger for our kids that are coming along, our grandkids, the next generation. We want the future to be beautiful. We want the land and everything to be well cared for. All that good stuff.”
A release from the Oxenden Indigenous Art Project says, “Ajiijak, Crane represents leadership among the Anishnahbeh,a trait much needed in the process of reconciliation. The figure within Ajiijak’s body represents the spirit of creation, It is everyone’s responsibility to protect creation as we ourselves are a part of Creation we are connected. Everything in creation has a sacred balance. The Crane is standing on one leg to represent the delicate balance.”
In a statement, Oxenden neighbour Heidi Tones commented “The arrival of Ajiijak is a beginning, not an end. We have so much to learn about the First Nations peoples who have lived on and stewarded these lands for generations and continue to be so generous in sharing their knowledge about sustainable practices and their willingness to rebuild trust and respectful relationships with those of us residing with them today.”
For more information about the Oxenden Indigenous Art Project, go to the website https://oxendenindigenousartproject.weebly.com/
Visit their Facebook page to see event photos HERE