Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter
A new art installation at Fort Whoop-Up hopes to start conversations about colonization, July 4, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Art installation at Fort Whoop-Up incites conversations on decolonization

Jul 4, 2022 | 8:23 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Galt Museum and Archives is hosting a temporary art installation created by Metis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers. The installation is part of Chambers’ ongoing nationwide project called “Hope and Healing Canada”.

The project, which is being installed at Fort Whoop-Up, consists of site-specific art installations that are made using crocheted, knitted, and woven red yarn. The meaning of the installation is to illustrate the connections of Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis peoples with Canadians, and address the decolonization of public spaces.

Tracey-Nae Chambers adds yarn to the “Hope and Healing Canada” installation at Fort Whoop-Up, July 4, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Chambers says at Fort Whoop Up, she wants people to consider the site through the lens of Indigenous people.

“So here I wanted to, again, talk about lenses. The circles to me are lenses,” Chambers said. “They’re looking at the world through an Indigenous, Metis, or an Inuit lens. So, I wanted to be able to look at this site through another lens instead of a colonial lens.”

Chambers says that choosing the colour red was intentional.

“Red is the colour of blood. It’s the colour of anger, passion, but it’s also a racial slur, so it was the best colour to use,” said Chambers. “Black would be too somber, and you know, it wouldn’t carry the same message that red does. So, hence we have red, and it’s really powerful and impactful no matter what season, and since I do create during every season, you know, it has to be able to be seen.”

The one thing Chambers hopes is that the project will spark conversations about colonization for the people who see the art installation.

“So when they see that, that’s immediately a start of a conversation because they’re saying, hey, why is there art there?” Chambers explained, “Many museums don’t carry art at all, or don’t have art except for subtler art that was, say, part of a historical museum or part of a historical home that they’re presenting as as an exhibition, or just part of their regular collection.”

Tyler Stewart is the Curator for the Galt Museum and Archives, and he says this installation will help people see Fort Whoop-Up through a new lens.

“We are very honoured to host this important project here in Sikoohkotok,” said Stewart. “It is important that we don’t see people and history as static objects frozen in time, but to constantly re-examine our world through new lenses and ways of thinking. Fort Whoop-Up and its legacy are no exception.”

The installation will stay at Fort Whoop Up until October 2022. Once it is taken down, the yarn will be re-used at another site across the country.

Another aspect of the “Hope and Healing Canada” project according to Chambers is that she intends to gather stories from each venue in order to create a book and a separate traveling exhibition.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.

Chambers talks about the significance of the “Hope and Healing Canada” project, July 4, 2022. (Photo: LNN)