Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen speaking outside City Hall during the 2022 Reconciliation Week kick-off event. City Hall will host a pop-up gallery during the 2023 week from September 25 to 29. (File photo: LNN)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge City Hall to host pop-up gallery during Reconciliation Week

Sep 22, 2023 | 1:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is prepared for Reconciliation Week.

Through two opportunities for submissions, the City of Lethbridge and the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee (RLAC) have curated a public art gallery in City Hall for the week.

Indigenous Relations Advisor Charlene Bruised Head Mountain Horse said, “Finding new ways to engage the community in learning and honouring reconciliation is something we aim to do every year.”

“By having this week-long, pop-up gallery in City Hall, we’re able to showcase works from Indigenous artists of all ages and abilities and provide a space for them to tell their reconciliation story.”

The artwork displays how each artist sees reconciliation in Sikóóhkotok (Lethbridge).

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Deserae Ootoh’kotskinna (Yellow Horn) is a Piikani Nation artist and described the story behind her Orange Shirt design.

Ootoh’kotskinna said, “The top reflection reveals how powerful children are after reclaiming ceremony. They have their identity and they each have a headdress signifying their power and potential. The ceremony poles have a baby tied to each of them, reminiscent of the story of Katoyiss (Blood Clot) who was held up to the four main poles of the ceremony lodge/teepee and grew each time as held up to each pole, into Katoyiss, a man.”

Ootoh’kotskinna continued, “He was sent by the creator, as the children are to heal the older generation by becoming great leaders for the next generation. Naato’si (the Sun) shines brightly on our future generations and the past no longer holds power and fades to gray. The bottom of the reflection shows a lack of light, love, family, life and identity amongst the children. The ceremony is dull and unwelcoming. It is meant to kill the child, in the child.”

Recent Catholic Central High School graduate and local artist Kellita Day Chief said her submission highlights the true story of Pochahontas.

Day Chief stated, “I believe that the true origin should be known. She was one of the first recorded MMIW victims (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s-Girls-2spirit).”

Day Chief added, “John Smith was a full-grown man; she was just a little girl. [My works show her as] seen in her ‘Disney State’ and her in her ‘Real Life State’. She was just a child.”

As part of Reconciliation Week, residents can pick up this year’s Orange Shirt by donation at the Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, with funds raised going back to the society.

The pop-up gallery will be available to view at Lethbridge City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Monday, September 25 until Friday, September 29, 2023.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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