"from the heart to the ancestors and the
land" /
"ehema nintehi mikowinduhwihkow nitankoopabanakekes meena kitakiiminan"
ARTIST
Niamh Dooley is an Anishininew (Oji-Cree) and Irish contemporary artist based in Winnipeg. She is a band member of St. Theresa Point First Nation (Mitheynigaaming/ Mariah Portage) in Treaty 5 territory of Manitoba (part of the Island Lake communities) but grew up in Treaty 3 territory in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Dooley predominantly focuses on the exploration of identity, cultural issues, and her interest in the relationships between Indigenous people, past and present, and connecting them with both traditional and
contemporary materials in her art practice.
LOCATION
Ginew School
Roseau River First Nation
ABOUT / ARTIST STATEMENT
Self-portrait of the artist wearing her mother’s ribbon dress, with red seed
beads stemming from her fingers resembling veins coming from the heart and initially installed with five branches along the bottom of the canvas to the ground, representing roots. The canvas the original piece is painted on, is in the shape of a ribbon skirt, traditionally the skirt would reach down to the ground being connected to the land. This piece represents the artist’s current journey of learning more about her culture from her ancestors and her maternal bloodline and continuing this knowledge to future generations.
Spirit Back was curated by Urban Shaman
Synonym Art Consultation and artist Niamh Dooley were invited to commemorate Organ Shirt Day and celebrate the unveiling of "ehema nintehi mikowinduhwihkow nitankoopabanakekes meena kitakiiminan" with the community and council of Roseau River and the leaders of Ginew School.
PARTNERS & SUPPORT
Wall-to-Wall Mural & Culture Festival, Synonym Art Consultation, Urban Shaman, Manitoba 150
Rural Mural Tour sponsored by CWB National Leasing