Dispossessed, defiant, indigenous, struggles, world, international photo exhibition, Victoria
by CJPME
In the Café Gallery, at The Arts Centre at Cedar Hill, 3220 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, V8P 3Y3.
We hope you will join us for an evening of viewing and conversation, as well as presentations by special guests who have kindly offered to share stories from their families' moving histories.
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is delighted to present Dispossessed but Defiant. Indigenous Struggles From Around the World: An International Photo Exhibition.
Made up of over 100 photos, the exhibition depicts different aspects of indigenous peoples’ experiences of dispossession, and their inspiring struggles to resist these processes. Spanning almost 150 years, the compelling photos of the exhibition capture the experiences of three indigenous groups: Canada’s Indigenous peoples, the Palestinians and Black South Africans.
The struggles of indigenous peoples for human rights, respect and recognition can last generations. Although each indigenous people is unique, Indigenous peoples in many parts of the world have faced similar challenges in the wake of their respective encounters with settlers of European origin and their governments, amongst others:
- Land loss
- Expulsion from traditional lands
- Destruction of homes & communities
- Discriminatory education policies
- Pressures to assimilate
- Barriers to integration
- Military occupation
- Restrictions on movement and residency
- Detention and imprisonment
- Cultural dispossession, and destruction and denigration of cultural identity
- Criminalization of peaceful resistance
To one degree or another, each of the above groups has faced most if not all of the above. We hope that the compelling images in this exhibition will open Canadians’ eyes to the agony of dispossession, and to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of oppression.
The images in this exhibition are powerful, and may cause serious reflection for many. CJPME offers this exhibition in the belief that art can awaken awareness of our common humanity, and cause us to envision a brighter future despite the bleakness of the past.
A number of collaborating parties must be acknowledged and thank for their contributions as the exhibition tours Canada:
The South African institutions which were indispensable in the creation of the South African segment of this exhibition: UWT-Robben Island Mayibuye Archives, UWC Libraries, Museum Africa, The National Library of South Africa, and the many South African photographers whose work is featured in this exhibition.
The First Nations of Canada who contributed photos to the exhibition, despite the current demands of their ongoing struggle to overcome the legacy of the residential schools system; as well, the Presbyterian Church of Canada, which has owned up to its part in that tragedy and has helped provide photos for the exhibition.
And for the Palestinian portion of the exhibition, the support of the following individuals and institutions: Dr. Elias Sanbar, for the access that he provided to his collection of photos; Mr. Walid Khalidi, and the Institute for Palestine Studies for access to their photo archives; and ActiveStills, for their courageous photography in a volatile context.
The CJPME Foundation developed this exhibition in consultation with academic experts in each of the three subject areas of the exhibition. It is thus important to acknowledge the vital support and collaboration of Professor Emeritus John S. Saul (York University), Dr. Marie Battiste (University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. James Reilly (University of Toronto’s Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations) for their suggestions, edits and insights.
CJPME is grateful to the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria and its funders for the opportunity to present this exhibition in Victoria. The selection of photos and their captions is wholly the responsibility of CJPME.
Exhibition produced by the CJPME Foundation.
- See more here.
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