Interesting Ways To Experience Indigenous Art On Your Next Trip To Niagara
Niagara’s deeply rooted Indigenous history is a fascinating piece of the region’s story, and taking some time to soak in the stories told through visual arts is an engaging way to gain knowledge and perspective about the First Nations experience. Here are some excellent Indigenous art additions to incorporate into your next Niagara itinerary.
Empathic Traditions: Niagara's Indigenous Legacy is a fascinating collection of artifacts at the Niagara Falls History Museum that reveals the presence of Indigenous peoples and their art and history in the region, extending back hundreds of generations to the present day.
Fort Erie’s Mewinzha Archaeology and Indigenous History Gallery honours Indigenous people who lived, traded and created a flint-knapping industry on this site. In addition to tools and weapons dating back 11,000 years, the collection features contemporary Indigenous artwork.
Indigenous art is central to the identity of Sho’aríshon Park in the Niagara Benchlands. Works there commissioned by Indigenous-led artist teams include Two Row Helix by David Beyer and Lilly Otašević, a sculptural piece inspired by the Two Row Wampum, and Water Scroll by Kathryn Corbiere and Sophie Anne Edwards, honouring language, story, and the waterways that connect us. A series of salmon-shaped trail markers created by Alderville First Nation artist Ryan Woodruff link the park to the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre and to Ball’s Falls Conservation Area.
Sge:no eye:twahs She is Planting the Peace, the window exhibit at the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre, depicts Jikonsaseh, considered by many Iroquois as the ‘Mother of nations.’ The artwork connects the Indigenous history of Jordan Village before European settlement with the modern-day Six Nations, whose traditional territory the museum lies on.
As part of the Niagara Takes Flight experience in Niagara Falls, guests are invited into a dedicated Ancestors Room that was developed with Indigenous partners to showcase 13,000 years of history with Haudenosaunee art.
Upper Canada Native Art Gallery, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, specializes in Inuit and Haudenosaunee art, as well as unique and exquisite giftware that celebrates and promotes Canadian Native Artisans. The staff works directly with Native artists across Canada, and that deep involvement in the people and the art is reflected in the collection of unique pieces.
Northern Expressions, in Jordan Village, showcases authentic Inuit and Native art, including soapstone carvings, drawings, prints, and other creative works. The artist, Odadrihonyanisoh (Sara General), belongs to the Turtle Clan and the Mohawk Nation.
FAQs
Q: Is there Indigenous art in Niagara?
A: There are opportunities to experience Indigenous art in Niagara, including at galleries, attractions, museums, and Sho’aríshon Park.
Q: Can I purchase Indigenous art in Niagara?
A: Niagara galleries, including Northern Expressions in Jordan and Upper Canada Native Art Gallery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, have beautiful Indigenous art pieces available for sale.
Q: Are there free ways to experience Indigenous art in Niagara?
A: Admission to the Mewinzha Archaeology and Indigenous History Gallery and Sho’aríshon Park is free, offering visitors to Niagara two excellent no-cost ways to experience Indigenous art.
