2 thoughts on “City of Calgary slammed for lack of Indigenous consultation before buying Bowfort Towers art”
The issue raises many questions, not only about hiding ethics and respect behind policy but also about cultural appropriation, cultural ignorance and what does it mean to TRULY HONOUR the people whose land now exists for another? This article is a glimpse into the complex world of Indigenous art, and the politics of representation which is always shadowed by prejudice and racism. Geist should be pressed to admit that he did not in fact consult, in a meaningful way, with the very people he is representing. The committee should be taken to task for not inviting the Blackfoot Nation to put forwards an artist into the competition and giving them the “heads-up” that their culture would be “smashed-in” by their disrespectful decisions. The art itself should have been questioned as its symbolism is so violently leaning towards the PASSING of a once strong Nation giving way to MODERNITY THE CONQUEROR. This is shades of THE SPIRIT SINGS. It is sad that Albertans have learned nothing from this space in time and history.
2017 and still noone has decency to consult with Peoples that they claim to ‘represent’…Heaven forbid they might actually know something about their own Art and it’s representations….so disheartening…
The issue raises many questions, not only about hiding ethics and respect behind policy but also about cultural appropriation, cultural ignorance and what does it mean to TRULY HONOUR the people whose land now exists for another? This article is a glimpse into the complex world of Indigenous art, and the politics of representation which is always shadowed by prejudice and racism. Geist should be pressed to admit that he did not in fact consult, in a meaningful way, with the very people he is representing. The committee should be taken to task for not inviting the Blackfoot Nation to put forwards an artist into the competition and giving them the “heads-up” that their culture would be “smashed-in” by their disrespectful decisions. The art itself should have been questioned as its symbolism is so violently leaning towards the PASSING of a once strong Nation giving way to MODERNITY THE CONQUEROR. This is shades of THE SPIRIT SINGS. It is sad that Albertans have learned nothing from this space in time and history.
2017 and still noone has decency to consult with Peoples that they claim to ‘represent’…Heaven forbid they might actually know something about their own Art and it’s representations….so disheartening…