Aisinna’kiiks

St. Mary’s has become a place for Indigenous voices to be deeply heard. As such, we would like to invite you to be part of our official opening of Aisinna’kiiks with a Grand Entry beginning at 6 p.m on June 7th, 2018.

Located on the former Father Lacombe Home site, St. Mary’s University has embarked on a new journey – transforming the historic campus water tower into a unique art gallery and conversational space.

In March, with Elder guidance, we came together to initiate conversations and to participate in a pipe ceremony. On June 7, an art exhibition inspired by these conversations will open to the public. In the words of one of the Elders, –“art brings the past to the present and guides the future.”

The title of our exhibit, Aisinna’kiiks, is a Blackfoot word which loosely translates to ‘artists’ but has multiple meanings. The exhibition is about inter-connectedness and parallels – junctures where we all come together to love, honour and respect the land as “caregivers” instead of “occupiers.” The artwork on display will focus on land, and will tell the story of the period pre-European contact.

The exhibition will feature eight talented, local artists from the Treaty 7 area who will utilize a range of mediums, from digital drawing to painting and photography, to share their stories.

We at St. Mary’s believe it is important to keep these stories alive.