CULTURAL HERITAGE PROJECTS - FRAMING RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL NARRATIVES THROUGH LANDSCAPES OF RESILIENCY
Framing Residential School Narratives through Landscapes of Resilience
Vanda Fleury
2005 - 2018
Photography & Mixed Media
This installation presents a series of land-based photo narratives and multidimensional window arrangements from the grounds of residential schools across Manitoba and in Ontario and Saskatchewan: Elkhorn and the earlier Mackay (Anglican), Birtle and the earlier Cecilia Jeffrey (Presbyterian), Qu’Appelle and Guy Hill (Roman Catholic), and Spanish (Jesuits & Daughters of the Heart of Mary).
By design, it is a story about stories. A range of bricks from the foundations symbolizes the diverse experiences of Indigenous people across our nations. The powerful theme of window as metaphor is exposed by shattered glass, by the mirror centred in the original frame from Birtle. At eye level, it challenges each and every one of us to look at our local histories of colonialism and reflect on the legacy of the residential school system.
I am concerned with the resignification of space through the lens as I locate my grandpa Fred as a survivor of Lebret Residential school (Roman Catholic). I frame my family narratives through a storywork approach to remind us of the fine details embedded in land, in memory, in art, in identity. Our kinship is grounded in resiliency; Our roots run deeper than injustice.
My photographs of Birtle also appeared in Locale: Bringing Heritage to Life, the magazine of the National Trust for Canada in the feature article, “Honouring the Truth: The Physical Legacy of Canada’s Residential Schools”.
Reflections on Shoal Lake Water
Vanda Fleury and Jesse Green
2017
Still Frame & Mixed Media
This series of images are set in a weathered pair of Schoolroom Green windows that were reclaimed on the banks of the Assiniboine river from a heritage pump house. It was part a water intake system that preceded the City of Winnipeg aqueduct. The windows shed light on our connection to Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the community at the source of our water supply.
From 1902 – 1929, hundreds of students attended Cecilia Jeffrey residential school (Presbyterian) on Shoal Lake Pointe. There were ongoing relationships between church officials and city representatives. On behalf of local families, Anishinaabe leaders like Chief Pete Redsky advocated for Indigenous spirituality and negotiated terms for attendance and non-academic work.
In reflective acknowledgment of this history, the windows frame the space as a location of resiliency. They include images from the grounds of the school. Jesse is an off-reserve member of Shoal Lake 40, and a brick was gifted to us for our ongoing work in object and record literacy. It carries the weight of what we inherit, and how we frame our collective narratives: past, present and future.
We believe a mixed platform of expression through art, education, and film opens a window for reconciliation. Reflections on Shoal Lake Water coincides with the StrongFront.tv documentary, Urban Eclipse: Rising Tides of Kekekoziibii (Shoal Lake 40 First Nation) which received the 2019 Manitoba Day Award in Film by the Association for Manitoba Archives.
Installations
“Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” Hosted by the Shoal Lake 40 Remembering Project for the Elders Gathering on the early Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School (1902 - 1929). Winnipeg MB. December 17 & 18, 2022.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” Hosted by Karen Laldin. For the parish of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Fort Garry/Winnipeg MB. August - October 2021..
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” Hosted by Nadine McCaughan. Charleswood Library. Winnipeg MB. March – June 2020.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” Hosted by Colette Dufault. Millennium Library, main floor and Whi Ghoss area. Winnipeg MB. October 2019 – February 2020.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” St. Andrew’s-on-the-Red Anglican Church. For Indigenous Awareness Month and the 170th Anniversary Celebration. Hosted by Karen Laldin, Barbara Gessner & Fernilee Born. RM of St. Andrews MB. June – July 2019.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” Hosted by Barb Andrews. Brandon General Museum and Archives. Brandon MB. January – March 2019.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Reflections on Shoal Lake Water.” Riverbank Discovery Centre. Curated by Lisa McMaster. Brandon MB. January 2019.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency” and “Shoal Lake Water and the Reflection on the Windows.” MHC 20th Anniversary Exhibition. Curated by Ray Dirks. MHC Gallery, Canadian Mennonite University. Winnipeg MB. September – November 2018.
“Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency.” Reconciliation Through the Arts Exhibition. Curated by Marlene Gallagher & Clarissa Kelly. Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery, Canadian Mennonite University. Winnipeg MB. January – March 2018.
Artist Talks
In-person presentation. Sunday Service for the parish of St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Fort Garry/Winnipeg MB. October 3, 2021. https://youtu.be/MLC5zjHw-O0
Presentation: “Framing Residential School Narratives Through Landscapes of Resiliency.” Indigenous Awareness Month - Sunday Service at the Old St. Andrews Church. RM of St. Andrews MB. June 16, 2019.
Keynote Speaker. MHC Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Canadian Mennonite University. Winnipeg MB. October 12, 2018.
Media
Quarterly Newsletter, St. Paul’s Anglican Church. “Indigenous Presentation and Display” (pages 4-6). Progress, edited by Linda and Bruce Ross. Fall Issue - October 2021.
Bimonthly Newsletter, Winnipeg Public Library. “Exhibits” (page 5). At The Library, edited by Kathleen Williams, design by Sherry Galagan/Courtney Gilchrist. Volume 21, Number 2. March - April 2020. Winnipeg MB. https://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/pdfs/atthelibrary/atthelibrary21.2.pdf
Bimonthly Newsletter, Winnipeg Public Library. “Exhibits” (page 5). At The Library, edited by Kathleen Williams, design by Sherry Galagan/Courtney Gilchrist. Volume 20, Number 6. November - December 2019. Winnipeg MB. https://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/pdfs/atthelibrary/atthelibrary20.6.pdf
Blog, Winnipeg Public Library. “The Drum is Calling Us In” by Colette Dufault. Readers’ Salon: Encouraging, challenging, provoking and inspiring readers. Posted October 15, 2019. https://winnipegpublibrary.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/the-drum-is-calling-us-in/
Rupertsland News: Connecting Church and Community. “Two Events at Old St. Andrews Church.” Posted June 4, 2019. http://rupertslandnews.ca/event/two-events-at-old-st-andrews-church/
Discover Westman. “Discovery Centre Exhibit Shares the Story.” By Betty Sawatzky and Barry Lamb. January 14, 2019. https://discoverwestman.com/local/discovery-centre-exhibit-shares-the-story?fbclid=IwAR0uB9wt_t8j1Ttl2DVbtTX7VZuC9wWaficY8gLrhRXTum_ljBGl4hjwC-c
Brandon Sun. “Riverbank plays host to exhibits, documentary.” By Michael Lee. January 9, 2019. https://www.brandonsun.com/local/riverbank-plays-host-to-exhibits-documentary-504087092.html?utm_content=bufferdedfe&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Parallel Activities
Grounded in Resiliency: Metis Narratives and Lebret Residential School. Storywork by Vanda Fleury. 2021+.
Photography Credits: Feature article, “Honouring the Truth: The Physical Legacy of Canada’s Residential Schools” by Christopher Wiebe. Locale: Bringing heritage to life, the magazine of the National Trust for Canada. Winter 2017. https://nationaltrustcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Locale2017-1-Honouring-the-truth.pdf
Opening celebrations at the Reconciliation Through the Arts Exhibition. Curated by Marlene Gallagher and Clarissa Kelly, hosted by Ray Dirks of the MHC Gallery, Canadian Mennonite University. Winnipeg MB. January 26 - March 10, 2018.
** Video by Jesse Green of StrongFront.tv