Gifts from Mother Earth

This artwork shows what Mother Earth has to offer to all living things to be able to survive and continue the life’s cycle. Continued abuse of Mother Earth will make a desolate waste land. Mother Earth must heal and humankind must be grateful for its gifts.

The background colours represent the four elements:

• Light Blue (wind and atmosphere) Dark Blue (water) Brown (soil) Red (fire)
• The four human figures are the cardinal points and sacred circle
• White: North, Air, White skinned People, Stars, Midnight, Death, Winter, Intellect – Mind, Animal, Sweetgrass.
• Yellow: East, Fire, Yellow skinned People, Sun, Dawn, Growth, Spring, Emotional – Heart, Mineral, Tobacco.
• Red: South, Water, Red skinned People, Moon, Noon, Birth, Summer, Spiritual – Soul, Plant, Cedar.
• Black: West, Earth, Black skinned People, Dusk, Maturity, Autumn, Physical – Body, Human, Sage.

Each of the other images represent: Sturgeon (water), Flowers (ground cover), Butterfly (insects), Turtle (Reptiles), Eagle (Birds), Moose (Animals), Bull frog (Amphibians), Mushroom (under ground), Coniferous and Deciduous trees.

About the Author: Finian Aloysuis Paibomesai

Finian is a member of the WhiteFish River First Nation (Manitoulin Island). He came to the Ottawa area in the early 1970s to study Fine Arts at Algonquin College, University of Ottawa and Ottawa School of Art. At Algonquin College in the Visual Arts Program, he was taught by Fred Maheux, Pat Durr, Sima Vinburg, Lucille Yang, Dale Dunning, Richard Nigro, Rose Marie Swingle and other teachers. After graduating from Algonquin, he attended the University of Ottawa in the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) and was instructed by Richard Gorman, Jim Boyd, Michael Schreyer, Phillip Frye and Richard Simmons.

In his formative years, Finian experimented with a lot of art styles from realism to abstract using oils, acrylic, ink and watercolour.

In the early 1980s, Finian and his wife Lynn moved from Ottawa to South Gower, a rural setting to develop and nurture his distinctive art style. Live many artists, to help him with his artistic journey, Finian had to rely on other sources of income eventually opening his business, fp Creative Solution Graphic Design, Signs and Decals.

Artist’s Statement:

“Artistic Inspiration happens in different forms, so I do mine with lines…”

My artwork is developed through a mental visual image which is then sketched to a flat surface such as paper, canvas or Masonite board. The process is started with a line that traces out the outline of a perceived image. The image is then filled using lines (eg. Brush strokes loaded with paint). Even if there is a form of controlled application of the medium, each piece changes and evolves with selection of lines and colour as it is being produced. The finished composition is accompanied with vivid colours, abstract marks, spots, swirls and strokes. This is where the view is drawn into a contemplative space of real and spiritual world.

Steps in the use of lines (1) Visualizing the image. (2) Initial layout on the surface. (3) Application of the media. (4) Signing of the art piece.

First Nations Artist Evolution:

Stories for the First Nations Peoples have always been a major tool of cultural transmission, holding the story, values, beliefs and spirituality of the people. Through their paintings, First Nation Artists transcends the verbal storytelling history of their People that enters into the realm of visual arts. In this, First Nation Artists hope their work will resonate and awaken an awareness that is at once exciting and empowering, a way for all people to understand an Aboriginal world view. Within this context, story telling through colour and imagery, First Nation Artist’s work will contribute to cultural revitalization, an awakening that continues to gather strength among the people to express and share the experience of being in and with the world, not masters of it.

We can all take steps to raise understanding about residential schools and their ongoing effect on Indigenous Peoples.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) published its final report in 2015 to create a historical account of the residential schools, help people to heal, and encourage reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

• Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action 
• Learn about the work of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

The Municipality of North Grenville is committed to carefully reviewing and implementing recommendations outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) Calls to Action. Several recommendations from the 2015 Commission were focused on the role that municipal governments can play.

This includes:

• Training on Indigenous issues for municipal staff and Council
• Raising of the Every Child Matters Flag on September 30th
• Recognition of Indigenous Veterans Day on Novemeber 8th, to recognize and acknowledge the many contributions and sacrifices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis to Canada’s war efforts and peacekeeping missions.
• Development of a land acknowledgment, in consultation with local Indigenous leaders and expected for early 2022
• Public engagement sessions with indigenous and non-indigenous community members

The Government of Canada passed legislation declaring September 30th a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

This day provides an opportunity for us to recognize and commemorate the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. It is also a day to honour and remember the survivors, their families, and communities who continue to bear witness to these tragedies.

North Grenville recognized the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021 by raising the Every Child Matters Flag. Indigenous leaders, members of the public, students, families, and Municipal Staff were invited to attend this public event. The flag continued to fly at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. 

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30 and  all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. 

National Indigenous History Month is recognized annually across Canada in the month of June.

During this month, take time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on June 21, 2022, a day to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Celebrating National Indigenous History Month

Indigenous History Month 2022 – Downie & Wenjack Fund

The final report on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls was presented in June 2019, and highlighted systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and the underlying social, economic, cultural, institutional, and historical causes that contribute to the ongoing violence and particular vulnerabilities of Indigenous women and girls in Canada. 

To learn more about the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls visit www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/

Important Dates:

May 5 -  National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Two-Spirited People 

A day to honour Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people who have gone missing, had their lives taken too soon, or continue to experience violence. Also known as Red Dress Day, it is a day when people of all backgrounds are encouraged to wear red to honour and help raise awareness about MMIWG, who have and continue to be subjected to disproportionate violence in Canada.

October 4 - National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Two-Spirited People 

A day to honour and remember the lives and legacies of both the victims and survivors that have impacted by ongoing violence against women, girls and the 2SLGBTQ+. It is also a day for action, advocacy, support and rememberance for violence that has impacted Inidgenous communities.   

November 8 marks Indigenous Veterans Day, a day to honour and celebrate the Indigenous Veterans who have served in missions across Canada and around the world in times of war, conflict and peace. 

For more information visit: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/people-and-stories/indigenous-veterans

Residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad was a catalyst for the day when she shared her story of having her new orange shirt taken from her on the first day at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in British Columbia. In 1973, she was just six at the time, and the shirt had been a treasured gift from her grandmother. 

Phyllis Webstad is from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band) in BC and is the founder of Orange Shirt Society. She continues to tell her story and raise awareness about the impacts of residential school system and promote the concept that “Every Child Matters”.

September 30 was declared Orange Shirt Day in 2013, to recognize the injustices that happened in residential schools, how it has affected so many Indigenous families and communities across generations, and why healing and reconciliation are so important to the future of our country.

In 2021, the federal government created the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Both the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day take place on September 30 and  all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools. 

Learn more at: www.orangeshirtday.org