HIWEST (to honour) was initiated by the City of Victoria and hosted by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

The First Nations Artist Forum happened on June 16, 2011. Moderator France Trépanier posed a series of insightful questions to the four panelists: Rande Cook, Darlene Gait, Tony Hunt Sr. and Dylan Thomas. The Unity Drummers and Singers brought a strong heartbeat to the mansion. Special guest Steven Loft, former Aboriginal Curator at the National Gallery, engaged the audience with a spirited closing speech.

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Kate Cino previewed arts events for 18 years at Boulevard magazine. She has a History in Art degree and a Public Relations certificate from the University of Victoria.

kate-cino@shaw.ca  250 598-4009

Gail Price-Douglas works as the Community Development Planner (Public Art) for the City of Victoria. She liaisons with First Nations artists for public art projects.

“When the First Peoples House opened at UVic,” she recalls, “I was impressed by the stories told by the participating artists.” Many of the sculptures embodied fascinating legends passed down through oral history.

Gail liked the idea of honouring the diverse talents of Indigenous artists with another panel discussion. She contacted Coast Salish curator and artist Rose Spahan to help coordinate the event.

Rose describes Indigenous art forms on the west coast as burgeoning and ever-changing.

“”It’s important to hear the voices of the artists,” she says, “who work in a wide variety of styles and media.”

Rose appreciates the ongoing support of Art Gallery staff and Director Jon Tupper.

Rose Spahan is a Coast Salish artist and teacher, who recently curated SMASH: International Indigenous Weaving at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria stands on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish Nations. www.aggv.ca

Director Jon Tupper acknowledges this and adds: “Within a Canadian art historical framework, First Nations have an important place.” As a public institution that supports great artists, the gallery exhibits both historical and contemporary Indigenous work.

AGGV Director Jon Tupper credits First Nations historians and scholars like Steve Loft with expanding our insights. 

France Trépanier’s Mohawk and French ancestry informs her work as a visual artist and cultural administrator.

“I understand the world view of both cultures,” says the moderator, “so I am able to make bridges and foster understanding.”

France praises the City of Victoria for initiating this event and striving for inclusivity at the municipal level. Marvelling at the abundance of Indigenous art forms in Canada, she reminds us to nurture their uniqueness.

The prolific artist paints her subjects in native regalia, engaged in traditional activities such as dancing, feasting, canoe racing and harvesting.

At the Forum, Darlene responded to the question of commercialism vs authenticity in local shops. She believes that an artist can also be a business person who maximizes profit by self-marketing.

“When I traveled in the American southwest,” she says, “I was inspired by artists running their own galleries on reserve.”

Darlene’s charming gallery receives visitors from around the world. She also sells her prints and originals on-line. www.onemoon.ca

Darlene Gait is a Coast Salish artist who operates One Moon Gallery on the Esquimalt Nation Reserve.

Photo courtesy the artist.

“Something important has happened in recent years,” he says. “Indigenous art is finally being recognized as part of the Canadian and international art scene.”

Indigenous scholars are building a critical dialogue that celebrates thousands of years of art history. Galleries and institutions with aboriginal direction are taking their place in Canadian society.

Steven feels privileged to be part of the HIWEST event. “These gatherings honour all artists,” he says, “including those who struggled so long without recognition.”

BC is blessed with many indigenous artists working in diverse mediums and styles, notes Steven. Through sharing and celebrating these artists, we further the development of our national and global culture.

Steven Loft is the former Curator-In-Residence of Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada. A Mohawk of the Six Nations, he specializes in research and critical theory on Indigenous art and aesthetics

Photo courtesy the artist