Indigenous Beauty | Sexuality Immersed in Arts and Culture

with Dionne Paul and Stephanie Pangowish
Hosted by Shadae Rose Johnson

REGISTER

Indigenous Beauty is a program series presented by the Vancouver Art Gallery to amplify and centre Indigenous voices, providing a platform for Indigenous peoples to define themselves.

Join us for our next gathering, hosted by Shadae Rose Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator of Indigenous Programs, featuring an intimate conversation with Nuxalk and shíshálh artist Dionne Paul (Ximiq) and Anishinaabekwe artist Stephanie Pangowish. They will dive into a discussion around Indigenous sexuality and how it is immersed within Indigenous arts and culture.

For centuries, across Turtle Island, Indigenous sexuality has been regulated and marked by the violence of colonization. Today, community members are working to redefine and reclaim their sexuality through new ways of self-expression, including in their arts and daily lives.

The recent discoveries of the remains of murdered children in mass graves at the sites of former Residential Schools have also renewed conversations about the sexual violence that took place in these so-called schools and have triggered many who have had to re-live their own traumas.

The decolonization of sexualities is central to Indigenous self-determination. This event aims to bring laughter and hope to an often-difficult subject matter.

Please note that we will be discussing themes of sexuality and sexual violence. Viewer discretion is advised.

This talk will be presented on Zoom and streamed live to the Gallery’s Facebook account here »

Questions? Submit them during the Zoom presentation using the Q&A function. You can also engage with your fellow attendees and panelists during the event using the Chat function.

New to Zoom? Learn how to register and attend a webinar here »

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

As this series evolves, we invite Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island to submit their program proposals for participation in an upcoming Indigenous Beauty presentation.

For more information and to submit your proposal, please contact Shadae Rose Johnson, Community Relations Coordinator of Indigenous Programs at sjohnson@vanartgallery.bc.ca.

Walk in Beauty. #VAGIndigenousBeauty

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Dionne Paul (Ximiq) is a proud member of the Nuxalk Nation and Shíshálh Nation, also Eagle Clan Woman and her ancestral name is Ximiq, translating to “the first eyelash of sunlight that comes over the mountain to greet everyone in the morning.” A multidisciplinary artist, traditional knowledge keeper and teacher, Paul grew up on the Sunshine Coast within the Shíshálh Nation (Sechelt, BC). She was adopted from the Nuxalk Nation (Bella Coola, BC) and holds both close to her heart. Since childhood, she has immersed herself in many Northwest Coast art forms and techniques, including 2D art, weaving cedar bark and wool, and working with stained glass. She holds a Masters of Applied Arts from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Paul’s work intends to raise the status of weaving from craft up into the realm of fine art. She also revels in pushing the boundaries of the notion of traditional form and function of objects. Her work has been commissioned, exhibited and collected internationally, and published in numerous books.

Stephanie Pangowish is Anishanaabe from Wiikwemkoong (Wee-kwem-kung) on Manitoulin Island and now resides in Toronto. She is an active community member, stand-up comedian, Northern Style Woman’s Traditional Powwow Dancer, educator, backup singer and avid beader. Pangowish holds a degree in Indigenous Studies from Trent University and continues to learn from her family and children. In 2020, Pangowish presented a Ted Talks at Centennial College Toronto, titled “Resilience Through Indigenous Humour.” She is part of a small group of Indigenous Women across Turtle Island who are breaking barriers and serving as head staff at Powwows as a Female Master of Ceremonies (MC). Pangowish uses her social media platforms as a tool to express openness with humour. Her sexually loaded (and educational) comedy will arouse your mind with insatiable thoughts of copulation and decolonization.