I-CYS and Opokaa'sin Early Intervention Society are honoured to present the culmination of a 10-year collaboration:
“Elders of the Future” - Exhibition Grand Opening
on September 9th, 2017, at 7pm at Casa Lethbridge
7:00pm: Opening Reception
8:00pm: Blessing and ceremony featuring Indigenous dancers and drummers
See photos from the opening reception here! (Photo credit: Jaisie Walker)
This exhibition has been created and curated by a multi-generational and multi-cultural team, including Blackfoot community members, who have participated in a community-driven research project between Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society and the University of Lethbridge’s Institute for Child & Youth Studies (I-CYS).
The exhibition provides a space to learn about local Blackfoot culture, history, and language through art and photography. “Elders of the Future” celebrates the incredible resiliency of local Blackfoot communities through their family and child-rearing practices. The exhibit is the culmination of a 10-year research project called “Raising Spirit” led by Tanya Pace Crosschild (Opokaa'sin) and Dr. Jan Newberry (Anthropology, ULeth) in conjunction with I-CYS (directed by Dr. Kristine Alexander).
Show runs September 9 - October 21, 2017
Please join us for a Blessing, an Acknowledgment Speech and Dancers in the ATB Financial Community Room at 8:15pm during the reception.
ELDERS OF THE FUTURE
Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society and uLethbridge’s Institute for Child & Youth Studies
Elders of the Future has been created and curated by a multigenerational and multicultural team, including Blackfoot community members, who have participated in a community-driven research project between Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society and the uLethbridge's Institute for Child & Youth Studies (I-CYS). The exhibition provides a space to learn about local Blackfoot culture, history and language through art and photography. Elders of the Future celebrates the incredible resiliency of local Blackfoot communities through their family and child-rearing practices.
Elders of the Future showcases the work of Blackfoot youth and adults who have and continue to participate in an ongoing community-driven research project. The youth researched local Blackfoot values surrounding family and child rearing and are now articulating these values and how they reflect healthy, resilient families. This project has made connections within communities across southern Alberta, including Lethbridge, Kainai (Blood Reserve) and Piikani (Peigan Reserve).
This exhibit engages the wider population in traditional Blackfoot territory through song, dance, art, photos and stories. This exhibition celebrates local Blackfoot communities as well as their family and child-rearing practices. Elders of the Future intends to help build connections and understanding between the diverse communities of Lethbridge, and illustrate the importance of the Blackfoot people and how their history and culture shape our communities.
View the poster here: EldersoftheFuture.pdf
See photos from the opening reception here!
Thank you to our donors and sponsors:
