Art program provides outlet, work experience for youth
- Andréa Ledding | July 02, 2017
The Urban Canvas Project graduated twelve talented artists at a ceremony at Art Placement Gallery. The Saskatoon Community Youth Arts Programming (SCYAP) grads Asini Duquette, Michelle Pritchard, Wendell Sand, Jessica Belhumeur, Garvin Netmaker, Karla Bowman, Renee Moostoos, Tonia Bird, Elizabeth Fisher, Martine Strange, Joyce Kandakai, and Jordan Williams celebrated their Final Show. More than just canvases, traditional star blankets were also on display. Local and provincial politicians filled the room, introduced by the grads before bringing greetings. Proud family members took photos in front of their artwork in the foyer.
Michelle Pritchard had never sewed before but made her first star blanket and will be in BC this summer checking out the art scene. “Now I’d like to get my own sewing machine.”
The program not only provides art experience but work experience to youth facing barriers to employment, and is a non-profit supported by the United Way, the city, the province, Eagle Feather News, and many other organizations and sponsors. Darrel Lechman, the founder, announced his semi-retirement and has been replaced by Clayton Shock.
City Councillor Cynthia Block noted the need for supporting Indigenous youth as the treaties intended, and talked about the work SCYAP does beyond their basic beautification of murals and art projects, and training, and outreach programs such as Art in the Park or face-painting.
Government of Saskatchewan MLA Eric Olausson brought greetings from the province. “Your Government of Saskatchewan believes that our province’s people are our most vital resource. We know that every member of our community is valuable, and we are committed to taking measures that help Saskatchewan people succeed.”
Assini Duquette, whose artwork at the event depicted the Highway of Tears in British Columbia, said afterwards he wished he could speak to him and ask him to replace the bus service cancelled for the entire province May 31.
“We need to look at why these women are disappearing. Because those buses are going away there’s going to be more people walking, especially from reserves. They go to towns to get on the buses, now what are they going to do? It’s an issue that needs to be brought to light,” said Duquette, who raises awareness of this important issue through his artwork. “I would have said to them, have a heart for my people. Watch over my people. Honour my ancestors because they let your people live here, too. That’s honouring them, is looking after my people now. Like why are they disappearing, why are they getting murdered?”
Grad Wendell Sand said he’d first heard about the program from his guidance counsellor. “I learned a lot. There should be more non-profits, they do a lot of good work in society,” observed Sand.
SCYAP grads later unveiled the new mural at White Buffalo Youth Lodge facing the parking lot. Designed by Duquette, great-grandson of Joe Duquette, and painted in pieced-together sections by many of the other students, the colourful mural depicts White Buffalo Woman and the gifts she brought the people.