Indigenous Relationships to Land and Cultural Spaces

Rather than focusing solely on property ownership, we will consider how land stewardship, reciprocity, relationship-building, and community wellbeing fit into creative space development.

Led by Christine Friday of Friday Creeations and joined by Don Kavanaugh, David Maracle, and Bonnie Couchie, we will explore how Western approaches to land and property can create displacement and disconnection, in both isolated and urban environments, and how Indigenous understandings of land offer alternative ways of creating spaces that support culture and community. Together, we will reflect on the connections between land, health, belonging, and sovereignty, and consider how Indigenous ways of knowing can help guide more sustainable and community-minded approaches to social purpose real estate.

Participants will be encouraged to think critically beyond policy and integrate protocol understanding traditional territories – origins of truth that connect to the spirit of the land, while securing long-term creative space, and consider how Indigenous perspectives can influence the future of social purpose real estate.

About the Presenters

Christine Friday – Facilitator

Christine Friday is deeply rooted to her family’s ancestral hereditary lands, Friday’s Point which includes surrounding lands and lakes that make up her family’s tribal hunting grounds, located within the unceded lands of the Wabi Mkwa family. She lives on Bear Island, in her community of Temagami First Nation. Christine is Anishinaabe Kwe, she is a proficient resilient Indigenous storyteller. She began her dance career with In the Land of Spirits in 1992 and has maintained a professional dance career for over 34 years, as a choreographer and director, developing solo work, commissioned work, youth creations and full-scale productions. As a community activator she inspires gifts that awaken the connections to ignite the cultural wellness and traditions of our Anishinaabek community. Her company Friday Creeations has launched their dream into reality with the grand opening of the Dance Studio Lodge and Outfitters Company the summer of 2023, and the recent purchase of our ancestral land inspiring and activating land based with professional performance and traditional artistic practices to awaken storytelling rooted in land and individual creativity, connection and healing.

Don Kavanaugh – Panellist

Niigaanipinens izhiniikaazo, Makwan ododeman (Don Kavanaugh) is Anishinaabe from the Lake of the Woods and lives in Animakee Wa Zhing First Nation.

David R. Maracle – Panellist

David R. Maracle, Tehanenia’kwè:tarons – (Cutter of the Stone) has been crafting his artistry since 1985, from his home community of Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka-Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. He brings to life the ancestral teachings of the Haudenosaunee People’s way of life through his magnificent prize-winning stone sculptures, musical compilations, and all aspects of his entrepreneurship as a business owner on his Indigenous Territory.

David’s “Originals in Stone” sculptures are throughout the world; with many corporations, and private collectors including the estate of the late Nelson Mandela, the Emperor of Japan, Dan Aykroyd, & Loretta Lynne. He has been on a successful journey in his life which interfaces with his 40-year multi-faceted career in the Arts & Music Industry.

Not only is he a world-renowned sculptor of stone, David is also an International award-winning multi-instrumentalist, musician, poet composer & Producer who has over his career released over 18 musical compilations and music scores for various Documentaries during his multi-faceted career.

David has so far, received two Gold Records from the Recording Industry Association of America, (RIAA) for his world fusion ambient melodies of the Iroquoian Love Flute, paired with his collection of rare world instruments!

Bonnie Couchie – Panellist

Bonnie Couchie is an Indigenous artist, songwriter, and community arts advocate from Northwestern Ontario. She has been involved in music and the arts for more than three decades and is a long-time supporter of creating spaces where artists can gather, perform, and connect with community.

Bonnie was the long-time owner and host of The Blue Tin Roof, a house concert venue in Pic River, where she hosted well over 30 musicians and bands. Through this experience, she developed a firsthand understanding of the importance of accessible, welcoming spaces for artists—particularly in smaller and remote communities.

Bonnie also holds a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities and an H.B.A. in Indigenous Learning with a minor in Law and Politics. Her interest in Social Purpose Real Estate for Arts Spaces grows from her experience as both an artist and a community-based arts host, and from her belief that sustainable spaces are essential to building vibrant and lasting artistic communities.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage.