The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford hosts two events this month to wrap up its current season of exhibitions which focus on decolonization and (re)conciliation.
The first event takes place Friday, April 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is a free session titled Reconciliation in the Classroom: A Workshop for Educators.
This workshop is facilitated by IndigenEYEZ, an organization focused on transforming communities and inspiring an intergenerational legacy of well-being among First Nations people in B.C. and beyond.
The workshop is designed for educators and provides tools to foster cross-cultural safety with all students and develop a deeper understanding of the needs of students with First Nations ancestry.
It also creates awareness of how to promote cultural appreciation while avoiding appropriation when teaching about Indigenous people in Canada.
The second program occurs on Sunday, April 30 at 1 p.m. and is titled Talking Circle: A Public Conversation About Next Steps.
The event is free and the public is welcome to join artists David Campion and Sandra Shields, whose exhibition Grand Theft Terra Firma has been on view since January at The Reach.
The exhibition is about getting at the heart of the conflict between Canada and Indigenous peoples.
They ask: Once we understand that the land beneath our feet is not rightfully ours, what can we do about it?
The event also features some light refreshments and a performance by Canada’s only female Aboriginal beatboxer, hip-hop artist JB the First Lady.
Both events take place at The Reach, 32388 Veterans Way. For more information or to register for the educators workshop, visit thereach.ca or call 604-864-8087 (dial “0”).