BRAMPTON, ON (Sept. 15, 2021) The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives’ (PAMA) commitment and mandate is to be an accessible safe space for the diverse communities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga to come together and celebrate arts and culture. PAMA strives to be a place where Region of Peel communities see themselves reflected and actively contribute to building a ‘Community for Life”.
In honour of National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30, and Culture Days which begins Sept. 24, PAMA has invited two artists this September to showcase their work and their stories in two outdoor installations.
Outdoor Installation: On now – Jan. 3, 2022
Artist Talk: Wednesday, Oct. 20
Inuk photographer Katherine Takpannie takes centre stage on PAMA’s outdoor banners. Seen from behind, she is a solitary figure enveloped by the whiteness of a snow-covered, winter landscape.
Evoking a sense of meditative calm in which the female figure becomes one with her surrounding, Takpannie is reflecting on the connection of the Inuit people to the sublime land, and the female body in its reproductive state as mother nature. Takpannie, who is pregnant with her first child, signals the dawn of new life through her amautik (a mother’s parka).
Tracey-Mae Chambers: Hope and Healing Canada
Outdoors Installation: Sept. 30 – Oct. 3
Join Tracey-Mae Chambers as she creates her site-specific art installation #hopeandhealingcanada on the front lawn at PAMA. Stop by throughout the day or follow along with PAMA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @visitpama to see the process on Sept. 30. The temporary installation will be on display until October 3.
Tracey-Mae Chambers grew up as a stranger to her own story; adopted and re-named, grafted into a family tree. The discovery in adulthood of her Ojibwa-Métis heritage was a revelation that set her on a path of discovery. Her work is in the powerful tradition of the vessel as metaphor for individuals; we fill and re-fill ourselves throughout life to create our own story.
#hopeandhealingcanada is Tracey-Mae Chamber’s reaction to Covid-19 and her hope for healing by reconnecting with other people and our environments. More importantly the installation speaks to the lack of meaningful connection between settler Canadians and Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people.
PAMA continues its ongoing commitment to the Indigenous communities in Peel Region and beyond by continuing to share, educate and showcase art and history of Indigenous Canadians.
In 2013 PAMA opened the We Are Here: The Story of Aboriginal People in Peel exhibition, developed in partnership with Indigenous community members and advisors. We Are Here aimed to give visitors an understanding of the rich, vibrant and enduring cultures and experiences of Indigenous people who have called this land home for thousands of years ago and still do today. The exhibition engages visitors with interactives, video, stories, art and objects which highlight significant roles and contributions made by Indigenous people, and the issues and challenges that Indigenous communities have survived and continue to face.
During the current PAMA closure due to the pandemic, and now as we upgrade our airflow systems and plan to re-open in 2022, PAMA will be conducting community consultations with our Indigenous partners. We are committed to listening and learning how we can update our We Are Here exhibit and help facilitate further conversations and learning.
Online Reflection and Education Year-round
We encourage residents in the Region of Peel and beyond to explore and listen to some of PAMA’s digital resources and invite you to connect with The Indigenous Network in Peel Region or on Twitter. Some resources shared by the Network in reflection and education about Truth and Reconciliation include:
- Calls to Action Truth & Reconciliation
- Map
- Timeline Video
- Story Karen Chaboyer
- Orange Shirt Day Video: Phyllis Webstad
- Humble song
Media Contact:
Erin Fernandes
Marketing Coordinator, PAMA
M: 416-312-3425
Operated by the Region of Peel, PAMA is located at 9 Wellington Street, East in Brampton. Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more.