Northern BC Indigenous Arts Symposium to Take Place in Prince George

The following is excerpted from a release issued by Studio 2880.

Founding members of the NIAC include (from left) Shirley Babock, Diane Levesque-Majewski, Carla Joseph and Ivan Paquette. | Image: Prince George Citizen.

The Northern Indigenous Artists’ Collective (“NIAC”), in cooperation with The Community Arts Council of Prince George & District, and Carrier Sekani Family Services, has announced plans for the first annual Northern BC Indigenous Arts Symposium to be held on April 27, 2019.

The event is designed to be a day of gathering, celebration, exhibition and sharing of knowledge for Indigenous artists from throughout North Central BC. The symposium will bring together Indigenous artists, performers, knowledge keepers, elders and educators, and will be held at the Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors Community Centre and Omineca Arts Centre. The events include opening ceremonies, exhibitions, panel discussions and workshops. A beautiful catered lunch featuring Indigenous cuisine will be provided, as well as dinner at the annual Ying'hentzit First Nations Art Gala in the evening.

“Since its founding one year ago, the artists who comprise the Northern Indigenous Artists’ Collective have been busy working on a number of initiatives in support of Indigenous artists throughout this part of the province,” says NIAC Chairperson Diane Levesque. “This day-long symposium and gala will bring together artists in a very unique way, by providing educational and networking opportunities, as well as a celebration of the incredible work our members do in support of communities throughout the region.”

Local artists community leaders will be leading sessions throughout the day, including Marcel Gagnon, Darin Corbiere, Keith Kerrigan, Vince Prince, Dr. Si Transken and Crystal Kennedy and many others.

All events, meals and workshop materials are provided for the fee of $25 per participant and tickets are available at Eventbrite.com (search Northern Indigenous Artists).

The event has been receiving notice since it was first proposed, and has support from the BC Arts Council and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort. The Northern Indigenous Artists’ Collective has received funding from the Prince George Community Foundation, the Vancouver Foundation and the Community Arts Council of Prince George & District.

For more information, please contact Diane Levesque at 250-563-2880 or niacpg@gmail.com.