The Homecoming
On September 30th in Canada we acknowledge Residential School survivors. Art for Aid has released a new archival print in honour of the children who attended these institutions. The print titled "The Homecoming" was featured on billboards in Canada in cooperation with Artists Against Racism and Pattison Advertising in 2021. We were grateful for their support. Prints can be ordered here, through www.artforaidshop.ca with proceeds going to support the work of Art for Aid. The artwork was inspired by the national outrage that swept the country after the announcement of suspected residential school graves at Kamloops in May 2021. The announcement dominated the headlines and occupied hearts around the world, uniting all in grief and shock.
In this art piece, I chose to balance anger with love, focusing on a reunion of great joy, far removed from the anger that was sweeping the nation. The investigations using Ground Penetrating Radar continue to make discoveries, but it will take many years to gather information. Not all will be found, but all are loved and acknowledged on September 30th and beyond.
The Homecoming - 16x20" archival print
The Art for Aid Project acknowledges that it is operating on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabeg traditional territory. We are grateful for the many opportunities that this privilege affords us.
The Art for Aid Project is a grass roots initiative that puts art supplies and skills labs into remote Indigenous schools. The art of Metis Artist Colleen Gray is the driving force behind this effort. Your purchase will support this important work and benefit Indigenous youth across Canada.
We are a project of I Love First Peoples, a Canadian Registered charity. If you wish to support Art for Aid with a monetary donation, please donate through www.ilfp.ca and select Art for Aid in the donation portal.