Tracey-Mae Chambers: Hope and Healing Canada
Outdoors Installation Sept. 30 – Oct. 3
Join Tracey-Mae Chambers as she creates her site-specific art installation #hopeandhealingcanada on the front lawn at PAMA. Stop by throughout the day or follow along with PAMA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @visitpama to see the process on Sept. 30. The temporary installation will be on display until October 3.
Tracey-Mae Chambers grew up as a stranger to her own story; adopted and re-named, grafted into a family tree. The discovery in adulthood of her Ojibwa-Métis heritage was a revelation that set her on a path of discovery. Her work is in the powerful tradition of the vessel as metaphor for individuals; we fill and re-fill ourselves throughout life to create our own story.
#hopeandhealingcanada is Tracey-Mae Chamber's reaction to Covid-19 and her hope for healing by reconnecting with other people and our environments. More importantly the installation speaks to the lack of meaningful connection between settler Canadians and Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people.
PAMA continues its ongoing commitment to the Indigenous communities in Peel Region and beyond by continuing to share, educate and showcase art and history of Indigenous Canadians.
In 2013 PAMA opened the We Are Here: The Story of Aboriginal People in Peel exhibition, developed in partnership with Indigenous community members and advisors. We Are Here aimed to give visitors an understanding of the rich, vibrant and enduring cultures and experiences of Indigenous people who have called this land home for thousands of years ago and still do today. The exhibition engages visitors with interactives, video, stories, art and objects which highlight significant roles and contributions made by Indigenous people, and the issues and challenges that Indigenous communities have survived and continue to face.
During the current PAMA closure due to the pandemic and now as we upgrade our airflow systems and plan to re-open in 2022 PAMA will be conducting community consultations with our Indigenous partners. We are committed to listening and learning how we can update our We Are Here exhibit and help facilitate further conversations, and learning.
