Kathleen Rose Sears
“Raven and the Eyes of Stolen Children” by Coast Salish Artisan, Kathleen Rose Sears.
Photo: Jeffrey Bosdet
The horrors of the Residential Schools are never far from my mind.
My mother was in one, and 8 of my 11 siblings were in one. I may have been lucky, if that’s what you want to call it, not to have been in one, but the aftershocks from the rest of my families’ experiences still hit hard on myself. There have been suicides, drug use, and alcoholism stemming from the abuse that my mother and my siblings dealt with.
There are still ripples to this day, and I wanted to find a way to bring attention to it and maybe as therapy for me to deal with this. I decided to use the Raven, as he is a messenger. Normally when I do artwork, there is a lot of drawing to see where I am going, but not with this work.
My ancestors were behind me all the way, from my heart to my brain to my eyes and hands. I ’saw’ where I was going without putting it down on paper. After I had finished sewing the Raven, I knew that there were a few pieces to be added. Hence the rosary and the dogwoods. My piece has nothing to do with god, but rather the church and religion where the horrifying abuse came from.
RAVEN & THE EYES OF STOLEN CHILDREN is dedicated to my mom, my brothers and sisters and to the many other families who were directly or indirectly involved with Residential Schools.
Kathleen Rose Sears
Raven and the Eyes of Stolen Children – Background
This piece of work, “Raven & the Eyes of Stolen Children” by First Nations artist Kathleen Rose Sears, was selected for the Juror’s Choice Award at 2017 Sidney Fine Art Show. One juror described it as an impressive “melding of the form of a button blanket with the critique of the legacy of residential schools.”
The ArtSea Board purchased Kathleen’s work during the 2017 show and donated it to the University of Victoria for placement in the First People’s House—in the student reading room, as a daily reminder of the commitment to reconciliation.
In 2021, Kathleen met with the ArtSea Board and staff to tell us the story behind this piece of work, and to share some of her personal history and experience. ArtSea is grateful to Kathleen for taking the time to meet with us, and for allowing us to listen to her experience, and share it with others.
Article: Indigenous Art: Reaching for Reconciliation
Photo by Nunn Other Photography.
Indigenous Art: Reaching for Reconciliation
by Jo Barnes – Seaside Magazine
Art can fascinate. It can inspire. It can even tell a story. But did you realize it can also heal?
In the midst of today’s movement towards First Nation reconciliation, art is a powerful tool that indigenous artists are using to express their thoughts and feelings, connect with the community, and help all of us move towards this goal.
“Art is a healing tool and gives you a platform. Art saves lives,” shares Rose Spahan, Indigenous artist, curator and teacher.
This reconciliation art is beginning to appear and inspire throughout the greater Victoria area.
Rose Spahan, for example, is the curator for “Sacred,” a multimedia display that opened in June 2018 at Victoria City Hall. The exhibit, created by Mohawk, Saanich, Cree, Métis, Navajo and Coast Salish artists, includes an LED light painting, exterior projection, photographic and silkscreened prints and an indoor mural.
“The name ‘Sacred’ is about honouring the old homestead, the lands and people of the Songhees and Lekwungen territory. It’s about reclaiming the space situated on Lekwungen territory. It’s also about reclaiming the sacred within you when you’re creating art,” says Rose.
Art is a way for First Nations artists not only to reflect on their history and perspective to the larger community, but to rediscover and learn that heritage.
“By exposing students to the process of creating, making mistakes, accepting change, starting over, improvising or not giving up have all been great additional benefits to the lesson itself. My own sister, an emerging visual artist, is discovering her indigenous heritage, culture and language through her art work,” says Jacqueline Jim, a SENĆOŦEN immersion teacher at ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School in Brentwood Bay.
Art is also an amazing tool for these artists to process their life experiences and help others understand their reality.
“It’s an effective way for Indigenous people to reach their community and express themselves,” comments Diane Thorp, President, ArtSea Community Arts Council.
An excellent example is “Raven and the Eyes of Stolen Children,” a fabric sculpture by Coast Salish artist Kathleen (Kathy) Rose Sears (above right). Awarded the Colin Graham Award for Innovative Work at the 2017 Sidney Fine Art Show, the powerful piece features a black raven perched around a large wooden cross, a rosary hanging from the raven’s beak. The raven’s body is detailed with blue fabric pieces bearing red ribbons and eyes.
“The red ribbons represent the children who survived the school (residential schools) only to take their own lives later on. The beads are actually a rosary that is meant to represent the church.”
The sculpture was lauded not only for its artistic presentation,
but also its cultural significance.
“This piece reflects the Church and the cost to First Nations Peoples. It’s a strong piece about residential schools and we knew it needed to be moved to an appropriate location. So, ArtSea purchased the piece. Curator Nick Tuele helped foster a connection with UVic First People’s House and we gifted the piece to them. It’s now on display,” says Diane.
For its artist, the creative journey meant revisiting painful personal life experiences.
“Creating art like ‘Raven’ opens a floodgate of emotions and tears,” says Kathy.
Hearing her tell her life story can be a deeply affecting experience. Kathy shares about the horrors of the residential school system and precarious foster care, all of which led to mental issues and abuse through many generations in her family. Art for her is a way to process her life and also to educate others.
“I’m hoping that people will actually see the horrors that happened,” she says. “I’m hoping that people will stop saying, ‘Oh, get over it!’ We wouldn’t say it to a Jewish person or anyone else, would we?”
Reconciliation for this woman is not just a concept or political policy; it is very personal.
“It is time to start healing from the past,” she says.
Healing begins with the art itself. So take the time to look at these pieces yourself. You’ll hear the voices of the artists.
Source: Seaside Magazine
Tom LaFortune
KAtēwha‡et, Tom LaFortune, is from SȾAUTW̱ (Tsawout First Nation). He has ancestral ties to many nations of what’s known, for now, as southern Vancouver Island.
Tom has been carving since he was 11 years old, and his decades of work includes masks, rattles, paddles, dishes, talking sticks, single figures, and countless story poles.
Tom’s esteemed designs can be found in collections the world over, and he typically has many projects on the go. His most notable works include: the Harvest Time and Owl Spirit poles completed for Duncan’s City of Totems project; a CBC commissioned totem pole broadcasted in the 1994 Commonwealth Games; a single owl figure overlooking the Ross Fountain at the world-famous Butchart Gardens in Victoria; S’ael, a twenty-five foot pole completed as part of Royal Roads University’s 75 years of changing lives celebrations; and a Salish archway in Fort Rodd Hill.
Source: https://wsanec.com/avada_portfolio/tom-lafortune/?portfolioCats=45
A 41-foot Coast Salish pole was recently crafted under the guidance of master carver Tom LaFortune at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre. Up to 90 men were involved in carving the pole, with one aim of the project to remind Indigenous men about their culture. LaFortune also created a 30-foot Welcome Pole, now proudly standing at Lime Bay Park near the Victoria International Marina.
ArtSea is pleased to add “Raven” (Messenger) by Tom LaFortune to the permanent display in the ArtSea Gallery, which is located within the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ People. Funding for this project was provided as part of a generous donation by Peninsula Co-op!
