Mayaadaaboonojig – “The Ones Drifting Off on the Current”
This project was made possible because of a partnership with Oshki Manidoo Bemidji youth as lead by Zac Earley, Ojibwe Culture Keeper (more photos on his Facebook page @zmitteness)
EXHIBIT December 5 , 2024 – February 8, 2025
Currator’s Statement
Hosting this canoe build has provided a way for Miikanan Gallery, as a part of Watermark Art Center, to move forward with exploring community wellness through arts. We partnered with Oshki Manidoo, a White Earth operated recovery center, located in Bemidji.
Oshki Manidoo provided space where youth and staff were able to watch and participate in various aspects of assembling the canoe.
Zac Earley, a gifted artist and Ojibwe culture keeper was the lead for the project. His experience with community canoe builds and his work as a traditions keeper made him a good candidate to bring into the wellness space. (Additional pieces created by Earley will be on display, as well.)
Early brought in Arden Williams to assist with the build. Her extraordinary talent as an artist meshed well with Zac’s. Their energy and heart given to the project resulted in an exceptionally beautiful canoe that honors the stories of the Ojibwe people.
This is a first time for Miikanan to host a project of this kind. It provided both challenges and an excitement as it unfolded.
The title of this exhibit perfectly encompasses the journey taken for this meaningful accomplishment. We are truly grateful to the people at Oshki Manidoo that supported and contributed to the project. We are looking forward to the canoe river/lake launch next spring and are happy knowing that it has a home at Oshki Manidoo.
The canoe will continue to provide meaningful experiences and tell stories in ways that will contribute to the recovery and wellness of individuals for years to come. – Karen Goulet, Program Director Miikanan Gallery
A note from Zac Earley:
“Mii sa giizhiitaayaang, ni giizhiitoomin ow wiigwaasi jiimaan…we finally finished the canoe. Miigwech to Watermark art center and Karen Goulet for the opportunity and believing in us. Miigwech to Oshki Manidoo treatment center for providing space, also to the youth who came helped and checked it out. – thankful for everyone who helped especially my beautiful lovely assistant and love of my life Arden Ramay for sticking this out with me driving back and forth, and hanging in since the beginning and all your hard work especially adding your deadly awesome designs. Shout out to Nate Johnson and Kevin Finney Caoimhín Feinneadha for your expert canoe building tips. Also miigwech to Kim LaRonge for all your support and help with the Kids. Also to Alex Decoteau Alexander Decoteau for helpin…Also to my boys Waaseyaa Hendrickson, Noah Hendrickson for gathering bark…. Above all we are thankful to the Manidoog miinawaa Mitigoog trees who gave their gifts and continue giving us life even in this day and age so we could build this canoe…
Noodin aka canoeden…”
This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Watermark Art Center would like to thank the following organizations for supporting our summer birch bark canoe build: Oshki Manidoo Center, White Earth Nation Behavioral Health and Language and Culture Program.
