Farquhar: The ‘art’ of reconciliation – The Sudbury Star

August 28, 2017

Just when you thought the summer activities were winding down, our little community of Kagawong in Billings Township will be the host community for the Elemental Festival running from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. This is a huge project spearheaded by 4elements living arts involving partnerships with the Billings Recreation Committee, the Old Mill Heritage Centre (Museum Board) and Billings Township.

The project includes 32 historical interpretive plaques and seven new permanent public sculptures around the Township of Billings to create the new Billings connections Trail Nature. Art. Heritage.

According to the curatorial statement by 4e, “the trail attempts to integrate the local heritage and history of Anishinaabeg and non-Indigenous residents and represents the Township’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015) ‘Calls to Action’ for public education that integrates indigenous history into municipal programs.

“The sculptures, selected by a community jury, respond to remarks Justice (Murray) Sinclair has made that artists have a role to play in helping communities to imagine different kinds of relationships and communities. It is a small, first step, within the broader context of conversations and change that need to occur.”