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April 22 to August 14, 2005
In the Spirit of N'ha-a-itk is a first-time collaboration between the Kelowna Art Gallery and Okanagan and Westbank First
Nation. This exhibition showcases the artwork of talented contemporary aboriginal artists while creating an invaluable opportunity for the public to learn about local First Nations culture.
Kiwanis Hall is curated by the Public Programming Department and acts as a community exhibition space where educational and collaborative projects are realized. By embracing the talents and expertise of local residents we create bridges to our community while raising awareness about art and culture.
For numerous years, guest curator Gayle Liman had been exploring the theme of N'ha-a-itk in her own artwork, and with students at Sensisyusten school. With 2005 being Kelowna's centennial, we felt it was the perfect time to explore this theme with aboriginal artists and to raise awareness about Kelowna's first culture and their deep connection to our landscape. The image of N'ha-a-itk
(Ogopogo) has been associated with Kelowna for many years with very little awareness of its origin or of the importance of this sacred symbol.
Providing inclusive, creative and interactive experiences that bridge the gap between youth and elder was an important component of this project. This desire for inclusion has culminated in a student exhibition in the Scotiabank studio, a work experience opportunity for native youth, Family Sundays programs in aboriginal storytelling and
ethnobotany, special cultural activities with School District # 23, and educational dance performances during the Life and Arts Festival in May. It is through this well-rounded participatory programming that we are able to cultivate an appreciation for the arts of indigenous people in our region.
Renée Burgess
Public Programming Coordinator
A centennial celebration is cause for reflection: a time to consider our past, relate our past to our present, and ask ourselves where we wish to go in the future. As we begin to celebrate, let us consider that long before the first Europeans began to settle here, the Okanagan Nation lived and thrived in and around the city. The name Kelowna itself is a gift from our indigenous people. As we move towards the future, the voice of our first people will inform Euro-Canadian interpretations, become part of our historical record, enrich our present and provide a legacy for future generations.
Through this exhibition, the Kelowna Art Gallery acknowledges the significant gifts and cultural influences of the Okanagan people. In the Spirit of N'ha-a-itk gives voice to several Okanagan Nation artists. Barb Marchand, Roxanne Lindley, Janine Lott, Frank Falkus, Chad Paul and Sherry Hamilton have created site-specific works with narrative statements focusing on N'ha-a-itk (Spirit Lake Serpent). These works are complemented with art from elders, students and the children of Sensisyusten First Nation School. They comprise a diverse range of media and express the visions, dreams and oral traditions of the artists involved.
In water, on land and in the heart of each indigenous person, the ubiquitous N'ha-a-itk is a metaphor for the survival of a strong and beautiful culture. The Kelowna Art Gallery is pleased to honour the Okanagan people through this special centennial exhibition.
Gayle Liman, Guest Curator
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