martinreisle@gmail.com
Aware
This piece is a call to my fellow Canadian settlers to actively learn about Canada’s colonial history, and how horrifically the First Nations of this land were, and still are, being treated.
In all honesty, it was only last week, through hearing of the RCMP raid on Wet’suwet’en lands, that I internalized how ignorant I was of this part of Canada’s history. We aren’t taught about the genocide this country is built on, or the racism (unconscious or not) that has become systemic in our culture.
Disgusted by my complacency in this violence, I will strive to learn this story, and take on an active and respectful role in shaping its future. Thus, as a life drawing and body painting model, I decided to utilize my art form to create a piece of work, with my good friend and calligrapher Martin Reisle, to speak to my fellow Canadians and hopefully encourage them to also inform themselves.
Only through respect and understanding of the history that provides the context for our present situation, can we truly dismantle colonial oppression, and share this land Nation to Nation, in the same good faith that has continually been offered to us.
–Emily Cheung, February 10th 2020, from the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ/sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Some places to start:
The TRC final report: Honouring Truth, Reconciling for the Future
www.trc.ca/assets/pdf/Honouring_the_Truth_Reconciling_for...
Bill 41 – newly signed BC law:
www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/bills/billscurrent/4th41s...
Unist'ot'en Governance
unistoten.camp/about/governance-structure/
Unist'ot'enSupporters Toolkit
unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/
The Indian Act
www.ictinc.ca/blog/indian-act-and-elected-chief-and-band-...
94 Calls to Action:
Aware
This piece is a call to my fellow Canadian settlers to actively learn about Canada’s colonial history, and how horrifically the First Nations of this land were, and still are, being treated.
In all honesty, it was only last week, through hearing of the RCMP raid on Wet’suwet’en lands, that I internalized how ignorant I was of this part of Canada’s history. We aren’t taught about the genocide this country is built on, or the racism (unconscious or not) that has become systemic in our culture.
Disgusted by my complacency in this violence, I will strive to learn this story, and take on an active and respectful role in shaping its future. Thus, as a life drawing and body painting model, I decided to utilize my art form to create a piece of work, with my good friend and calligrapher Martin Reisle, to speak to my fellow Canadians and hopefully encourage them to also inform themselves.
Only through respect and understanding of the history that provides the context for our present situation, can we truly dismantle colonial oppression, and share this land Nation to Nation, in the same good faith that has continually been offered to us.
–Emily Cheung, February 10th 2020, from the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ/sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Some places to start:
The TRC final report: Honouring Truth, Reconciling for the Future
www.trc.ca/assets/pdf/Honouring_the_Truth_Reconciling_for...
Bill 41 – newly signed BC law:
www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/bills/billscurrent/4th41s...
Unist'ot'en Governance
unistoten.camp/about/governance-structure/
Unist'ot'enSupporters Toolkit
unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/
The Indian Act
www.ictinc.ca/blog/indian-act-and-elected-chief-and-band-...
94 Calls to Action: