As part of CUSA Aboriginal Service Centre’s (ASC) new month-long campaign, RISE 2016, the Indigenous Creations: Arts & Crafts Expo brought works of creation from new and old generations to the River Building atrium.
The acronym “RISE” stands for Revitalizing Indigenous Strength and Education.
“It is in the spirit of older Aboriginal awareness months, and it was just updated by myself and the Aboriginal community here to better reflect our values and principles,” Ash Courchene, the coordinator of RISE, said.
Courchene had been asked previously in the year for an event to showcase some of the pieces created by First Nations communities.
“It was actually not too hard to put together,” he said. “We had tons of interest from both students and administration, as well as outside vendors.”
The expo quickly grew to host more than 10 Indigenous artists.
Beginning at 10 a.m., there was an assortment of different styles and mediums of art to be admired. Shady Hafez, a student at Carleton, brought his hand-sewn ties and bow ties to sell at the show. With vibrant colours, geometric patterns, and detailed characters, the ties were guaranteed by a sign at his booth that no two would be alike.
Courchene explained how art was important to the ASC programming as “it tries to be the frontline organization for Indigenous students coming in, seeking to find the broader community.”
The Indigenous Creations: Arts & Crafts Expo is “a way of revitalizing our ways. It is a method of resurgence for a lot of people. To express oneself and however they feel, them being an Indigenous person,” Courchene said.
Rebekah Elkerton, a well-known artist in Aboriginal communities, was also exhibiting her work on Thursday. As a student at Carleton studying women’s and gender studies, her paintings are comprised of brush strokes of lively pigments.
Another artist, Rebecca Migwans, sold satchels embroidered with floral and other First Nations prints. Corresponding with the rest of the vendors, each piece was meticulously handcrafted. From threaded jewellery to slippers ornamented with bead work, the crafts covered head to foot.
Charitable organizations for First Nation communities were also promoted at the expo. Her Braids specializes in crafting jewellery, and their campaign “Be an Accessory to Change” donated 10 per cent of their profits towards bringing clean drinking water to First Nations communities, through David Suzuki Foundation’s Blue Dot Movement.
