ABOUT INDIGENOUS
CROSSROADS
Indigenous Crossroads: Oaxaca-Canada is a platform for cultural and artistic exchange between indigenous communities in Canada and Oaxaca, which seeks to generate conversation and cooperation in the medium and long term between indigenous creators and artists from both regions.
The project arose thanks to the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who invited the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, to join the different commemorations that Mexico celebrates in 2021. In this context, it was decided to pair the people of Canada with the people of Oaxaca, emphasizing the strength of the ties between the indigenous peoples of both parties. This pairing greatly honors the Canadian people, and is an excellent opportunity to address issues of great urgency for the indigenous peoples of the region
In response to this high level invitation, the Canadian government, through the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, and with the help of various local partners, has facilitated the creation of these meetings. These meetings are intended to be a starting point in the way we promote cultural relations between Canadian people, in this case indigenous people, and their counterparts around the world.
INTERCAMBIO
CULTURAL Y
ARTÍSTICO ENTRE COMUNIDADES INDÍGENAS DE
CANADÁ Y
OAXACA
The past few months have been particularly difficult for Canada's indigenous peoples, adding to a long history of abuse and marginalization, in the face of which all Canadians are obliged to rethink our historical consciousness and work purposefully towards meaningful reconciliation to build a more just society. We know that this history can resonate with the history of Mexico, which is why Indigenous Crossroads: Oaxaca-Canada stands as a mechanism for dialogue and reconciliation through culture and art.
Indigenous Crossroads: Oaxaca-Canada is presented in a hybrid format, taking into account all health considerations in the face of the global pandemic. Through a digital platform, stations, fixed and itinerant exhibitions, it will be possible to know and talk about the contemporary reality of the indigenous peoples of Canada, to recognize points in common and differences with Oaxacans and Mexicans, and in this way detonate possible veins of collaboration.
The preservation of language, the relationship with territory, colonial processes and reconciliation are only some of the themes addressed through films, video art installations, virtual reality stations, public art exhibitions, workshops and conversations.
In an honest and transparent effort to work towards a better future, we are proud to facilitate these cultural encounters, with the certainty that they will be the first step of a long collaboration and exchange
Welcome to Indigenous Crossroads: Oaxaca-Canada, which we hope will be the beginning of a long road of pairing, cooperation and prosperity for the indigenous peoples of Canada, Oaxaca and Mexico.
Sincerely yours,
Organizing and Curatorial Committee Indigenous Crossroads: Oaxaca-Canada
ABOUT THE CONTENT
In order to integrate the artistic content presented at the Canada Oaxaca Indigenous Crossroads, the Embassy facilitated the creation of a curatorial committee, in charge of discussing and selecting the work of indigenous artists relevant to both Canada and Oaxaca. The objective was to make a selection as representative as possible of all the indigenous communities of Canada and Oaxaca, and to offer content that would bring to the table the most relevant issues for each community in the 21st century.
The committee was composed of: Irma Pineda (Zapotec), Gerry Lawson (Heiltsuk) Yasnaya Aguilar (Ayüuk), Niki Little (Anishininew) and facilitated by Indigenous Education researcher, Ixchel Bennet. It was thanks to the committee, and the support of Jimena Lopez, art historian, that we are able to present this diverse and fascinating selection of Canadian and Oaxacan culture.
