Calling All Artists!

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted both the vulnerability and resiliency of Indigenous communities around the world. Indigenous peoples are at a disproportionate risk in a global pandemic, as they may have limited access to healthcare services and preventative measures like clean water and sanitation. Despite these challenges, Indigenous communities are seeking their own solutions to the pandemic and demonstrating resourcefulness and perseverance in how they respond.

The Kana Wain Ndida project aims to highlight and celebrate of the resilience of Indigenous communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an engaging virtual format. Individuals from Indigenous communities and organizations around the world are invited to submit artwork and stories reflecting on their experiences during the pandemic. A selection of submissions will be compiled into a digital multi-media book and calendar developed by Kitatipithitamak Mithwayawin in the summer and fall of 2022.

We are seeking two types of submissions from Indigenous artists and communities:

• Indigenous community story submissions: a written summary highlighting how your community has demonstrated resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Indigenous artwork submissions: drawings, paintings, sculpture, basketry, beadwork, woodwork, photography, music, performance arts, poetry, short stories, and other creative works.

The project builds on themes and key issues raised during the Kana Wain Dida: Looking After Each Other Indigenous health sovereignty conference hosted in May 2021. Stories and videos from the conference virtual archive will be featured in the multi-media book.