Portage College is extremely proud to announce that two of its Native Arts & Culture alumni have been selected to display their wonderful art at the Hope and Fear exhibition at the University of Alberta. In addition to the alumni the current Aboriginal Art students along with their instructors have produced a piece called; Connect. These creations along with many others will be on display for two months.

Amber Weasel Head, graduate of the Artisan Entrepreneurship program and Artist in Residency participant has chosen two of her pieces; She Carries Her Prayers, 2016, this beautifully made bag represents how her ancestors carried their smudges for prayers. The other piece is called Humming Bird Blessings, 2016, this traditional birch bark basket would have been used to store things such as medicines, water and berries. Amber's art reflects her understanding of her cultures and her connections to her ancestors. Her work includes beadwork, painting, mixed media, film making, performance and digital arts.

Jaime John-Kehewin is another student that graduated from the Artisan Entrepreneurship program. Jaime has selected three of his pieces; Waspison Moss Bag, 2016, Feather Box, 2016, and Deer Dew Claw Bag, 2016. Jamie is a multi-disciplinary artist who incorporates carving, painting, sculpture, print making, nature crafts, and ceremonial/powwow regalia into his work. Jaime's works and performances have been showcased in galleries and various venues throughout western Canada.

The exhibition opens April 8^th and will feature fifty or so artists. People from all over Canada and some international visitors will be able to see the amazing artwork that's been created at the University of Alberta and at Portage College in the Native Arts and Culture program.

See this Hope & Fear poster for exhibition details.

ᐋᓂᐢᑯᑖᐤ [âniskotâw] - connect

This piece is representative of numerous pathways of re-connection to ancestral roots, teaching and learning. Traditional teachings through modern technology is a powerful tool in the revival of culture and identity. With the constant connection to modern devices lays the opportunity to learn; there are Indigenous language apps you can download, the steps to hide tanning on YouTube, and QR codes like ours that lead you to a video that invites a sense of peace, creative inspiration, and a reminder that we are all connected. 

This artwork which incorporates caribou hair sculpting, porcupine quill plaiting, traditional leatherwork, beading, printmaking, digital arts, video, photography, and painting, was created by Native Arts and Culture Program students at Portage College in Lac La Biche, Alberta.

Portage College Native Arts and Culture Program Students Jamie John Kehewin, Tessirae Sasakamoose, Jessica Foy, Danielle Didzena, Charlene Moberly, and Amber Weasel Head Instructors - Trudie Allen, Ruby Sweetman, and Pierre Oberg. Special Thanks to curators Marilene Oliver and Royden Mills and Stephanie Jonsson and Sarah Polkinghorne.  

Please use the web address found here or on the artwork to watch the video "We Are Connected" by Amber Weasel Head. The video was produced to accompany this mixed media artwork.

View the video of the creation of this piece here.