A reception for the artists and allies of Manidoo Ogitigaan and their exhibit Gaa-miinigoowiziyan – “What We were Given”, will be held on Saturday, January 14 from 2 to 4pm at Watermark Art Center. The exhibit showcases cultural knowledge and art forms revitalized by their organization and their Anishinaabe connections spanning the United States and Canada. The exhibit will be on display through February 18 in Watermark’s Miikanan Gallery.
Manidoo Ogitigaan is a Native grassroots organization based in Bemidji, Minnesota with connections spanning throughout the United States and Canada. Together with the Great Lakes Lifeways Institute based out of Michigan and Obaashing University, they teach, share and relearn land-based life skills that include birch bark canoe building, basketry, woodworking, and weaving. Manidoo Ogitigaan and Great Lakes Lifeways Institute work together to revitalize art forms and cultural knowledge in a meaningful way while bridging gaps and building lasting relationships to rebuild a cultural legacy for generations.
Says a representative of the exhibit, “Our exhibit features the artwork of community members from various backgrounds who have attended our workshops and participated in our Artist Collective. It is always our goal to gather materials in a manner akin to the original inhabitants of the land. We process materials in a way that is not harmful to the land with the mindset of protecting the land and its resources for generations to come.
“We are honored to build relationships with Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island and respect our relationship with the land and people from many walks of life who are connected to Anishinaabe communities through personal and meaningful relationships.”
In association with the exhibit, Mary Moose, a first language Ojibwe and Cree speaker from Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Ontario Canada, will present Ojibwe Storytelling on February 3 from 6 to 8pm, and Ojibwe Star Knowledge with Joseph Sutherland on February 4 from 1 – 3pm at Watermark.
There is no registration required nor charge to attend these events. Visit WatermarkArtCenter.org for detailed information. Watermark galleries are free and open to the public Monday – Saturday from 10 to 5pm and located at 505 Bemidji Avenue N. in Bemidji, Minnesota, 218-444-7570. Sponsorship for this exhibit comes from Minnesota Public Radio and is made possible in part by the Blandin Foundation and the McKnight Foundation.
