Pass on the Teachings

Submitted by:	Carla Taylor
Department:	Art + Design
Faculty:	Arts

First I would like to acknowledge that I am of both Dene and Irish/Canadian descent. I am an artist, mother, student and teacher here on treaty six in Amiskwacîwâskahaikan, or ‘Beaver Hills House’ (Edmonton). I was born on this land, and raised in Yellowknife NT.

Throughout the past decade I have had the honour of sitting with and learning from the Indigenous people of this land, learning to be a ‘good relative’ and share what I learn with the youth.

Truth and Reconciliation in Canada with Indigenous people, and healing through arts-based practices is the focal point of my life work and research. The words: ‘Nàowo wek’èts’ezhǫ wet’à dǫne hoghàgets’ehtǫ ha’, come from the Dene laws and mean: ‘Pass on the Teachings’. Throughout my research I have connected with Elders and knowledge keepers from my own Dene ancestry. My shared image depicts a wood frame upon which I am helping to stretch a moosehide in preparation for scraping and tanning.

What I learn from these practices, and traditional stories, will be passed onto future generations through my multimedia installations, visual arts, and writing.

Was your image created using Generative AI?
No.

How was your image created?
I used my iPhone 14 to shoot the image as I was stretching the hide. I used photoshop to crop the image to the correct specifications.

Where is the image located?
On the Enoch Reserve.