| Monday, September 30, 2024, is National Truth and Reconciliation Day, observed annually. The day honours the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools. It also honours their families and communities. Each year is an opportunity to acknowledge this tragic and painful history. Learning is a critical component of ongoing reconciliation efforts.
As you may know, this past June, TAPA unveiled a visualization of our land acknowledgement at the 44th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards. Today we want to share it with you again. Our visualization was created by Tyler J Sloane (they/he/she) is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on performance arts and media arts, and has a foundation in theatre as an actor, producer, and director. Their first practice was visual arts, where their practice in digital art and collage first arose. They are a mixed race person being Ojicree-Anishinaabe, British, French, Scottish, Irish, and Chinese. This piece is called “why here.”
Artist Statement – “We see…” by Tyler J Sloane
• a collage of photos of Lake Ontario, the sky, and Toronto’s Skyline – all taken over the current duration of my time here (2016-2024). All moments acknowledging my wonder and gratitude for this place
. • 1 Sun, setting north west, warm like the Torontohenge, with the Condor (L) and Eagle (R) over on the horizon upon us.
• 7 Fires, echoing the 7 Fire’s Prophecy, an acknowledgment of Anishininabe migration from the east coast up into the north west around the great lakes. Also homage to Yolanda Bonnell, one of my dear friends and kin who has given me so much knowledge about this place!
• The Strawberry moon rising in the east, admittedly my favourite fruit, but also as a sign that even when it can be the most dark – our compassion from our Ode (hearts) can carry us through.
• The four squares as a nod to the Haudenosaunee flag. • A vibrant blue skyline, around blue skies, with the sun setting a red reflective harbour. An acknowledgement that the beauty and charisma of this city, lies on severe colonial truths and violence. Storytellers who make the harsh and serious realities of being good visitors easier with the gift of stories on the stage, with text, with song, or just with the lift of our hands.
• A snapshot of the map of Toronto – or a portion rather – to remind us of the specificity of being a part of the bigger picture.
• The Dora Mavor Moore statue standing in water, while a shot of light pours through; acknowledging that it is storytellers who make the harsh and serious realities of being good visitors easier with the gift of stories on the stage, with text, with song, or just with the lift of our hands. |
