Mekinawewin: to give a gift
Rooted in a circular process of remediation, this multi-day papermaking workshop was an invitation to guests on Treaty 7 territory to enter into a relationship that recognizes the role of reciprocity and transformation in processes of repair, healing, and restoration.
The workshop unfolded over three days with online and in-person participation. Participants in Otôskwanihk/Mohkinstsis (Calgary) were invited to choose personally relevant materials that they would like to remediate by transforming them into handmade paper. Materials could be paper or plant-based. Paper documents related to health, family heritage, culture, education, work, and/or political spheres. As the global pandemic continues to take lives and widen income and wealth inequalities, they were also invited to bring records, reflections, stories, or documents related to the last year and a half related to COVID-19.
Throughout several iterations of this project, Cardinal’s focus has been on hosting multiple workshops with various community organizations, families, and individuals. Conversations revolve around Indigenous histories and ways of knowing. In keeping with Nêhiyaw tradition, the artist requested the first paper sheet that an individual pulled, to stay with the project.
