(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Tepakohp 7

Melfort showcasing Indigenous art

Mar 4, 2023 | 11:00 AM

The Melfort Arts Council (MAC) has brought an Indigenous art exhibit to the city, for nearly the entire month of March, courtesy of the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC).

ᑌᐸᑯᐦᑊ/Tepakohp/7 is a multi-artist exhibition that celebrates the stories and experiences of the many Nations of Indigenous Women living on this land we call Saskatchewan.

They share their stories through their art to amplify, inspire and educate about the diverse relationships and transactions we have with this land and each other.

“Hope leads to possibility, possibility is inspiration, and inspiration brought me to act,” said Melanie Monique Rose, curator and artist. “As an artist, educator and curator, telling our stories is my authentic path to activism. It is no surprise to us that there is and has been a disparity in whose voices are amplified, and we will be a part of changing that.”

The exhibit is currently being displayed at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort, as part of the Sherven-Smith Art Gallery.

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It opened back on Mar. 1 and will be open until Mar. 23, as it continues to tour all across the province, as part of OSAC’s Arts on the Move program.

“One of the main reasons as well, to put the show together, was that there’s just a lot of racism that I can see in Saskatchewan,” added Rose. The idea of using art as a forum to educate and to inspire and see the beauty, was really important for me to think about how can I uplift… I really wanted to amplify Indigenous women’s voices in a very positive way and tell stories that all of our artists have come from different nations.”

Tepakohp (ᑌᐸᑯᐦᑊ) is the Néhiyaw word for seven and has deep significance for Indigenous communities throughout the world.

(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

For example, the Haudenosaunee’s (Iroquois) Seventh Generation Principle is a philosophy where decisions made in the present should result in a sustainable future for seven generations to come.

Shared by Indigenous nations, the Seven Grandfather Teachings of Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty, Humility and Wisdom are a set of guiding principles to live a good life.

“Tepakohp (ᑌᐸᑯᐦᑊ)” is also in honour of the seven Indigenous artists that helped shape contemporary Indigenous art in Canada: Audie Murray, Mary Friesen, Larissa Kitchemonia, Donna the Strange, Stacey Fayant, Brandy Jones, and Melanie Monique Rose.

Together they are activated by artists such as Daphne Odjig and held up by the Matriarchs of their community and the teachings received from their ancestors to tell stories through art with hope for future generations.

~With some files from OSAC

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8