Planet IndigenUS is a ten day festival co-produced by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto and the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford. It features 300 artists with dance and music performances as well as visual art exhibits at a number of venues. One of the venues is the gallery at Harbourfront Centre where a number of artists of Anishnabe heritage are showing their work. Two of the artists are Christian Chapman and Scott Benesiinaabandan, and a sample of their work is presented here.
Screenprints by Christian Chapman
gaawiin wiikaa ji gwerina-ka-nawich
miskwadessi opixwanak misa oi kitimagia
miskwadessi wag dash awessiwag
ji manaadji-a-ka-ni-watch
never turn a turtle on its back so that it is helpless
turtles and all other animals are to be accorded respect
gaawiin wiikaa zaagi-dandaweken
wassetchiganatikong wayti-endaian
ai anike dibadjimowin eta ga nibodwach
sa gitinacasowug
never climb out a window in your house,
traditionally, only dead people are brought out like that
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below: ‘God Save the Queen’ by Scott Benesiinaabandan
a series of photos in which the queen is partially covered by the artist’s Solidarity Flag
as I walk Toronto 