Michelle Jack PhD describes her research as “approached in an Interdisciplinary/multimedia way with emphasis on Indigenous/First Nations Studies, Intercultural Communication, Film Studies, and affects/effects of globalization/colonization on our Okanagan traditional ways of life and economic processes. Have been working on Northern border issues and how they have affected traditional relationships, cultural ideals, and identity among our people for about 26 years in my artwork, film, and scholarly endeavors. Key components and ideas: Indigenous land-memories, Decolonization, Indigeneities, Indigenous Representation, Relationships with Nation States, Militarization/SelfDetermination/Sovereignty.”
She describes her artist practice as “an Abstract Image Maker/Scholar who investigates the physical, mental, spiritual, and material. Over the years as an image maker/scholar I have delved into some senses more than others when making distinct bodies of work that have to do with many different living land memories, and parts of Okanagan Indigenous/Aboriginal culture. To respect our Earth/Mother (təmúlaʔxʷ), Creator (kʷl’ncútən), and ancestors (sənqsílxʷ) when creating work sustainability has to be considered in every sense or area of life. The knowledges of our people, language, and culture are intertwined with the ideas of holistic methods and processes.”
2017 Penticton Arts Awards
Nominee for ARTS EDUCATOR – Dr. Michelle Jack
As the head of the Visual Arts Department for the En’owkin Centre Dr. Michelle Jack has worked hard to support their Aboriginal students from all over Canada and the Sylix territory. The partnership that she, Phyllis Isaac, and Greg Younging have worked to maintain with the Penticton Art Gallery and Curator Paul Crawford has enhanced the NAPAT program and their professional students experiences in their individual arts goals.
An Okanagan (sylix) from the communities of (snpintktn) Penticton, BC and (nisɬpícaʔ) Omak, WA she is a working artist, with a BFA from the University of New Mexico and an MFA from the University of Washington both in Studio Arts and Photography. She uses her traditional Sylix experiences to enhance her art practice and teaching methods in the NAPAT program.
PhD Dissertation
2018 Co-Curator for Enowkin Student & Alumni Exhibition at the Penticton Art Gallery
2019 Co-Curator for Enowkin Student & Alumni Exhibition at the Penticton Art Gallery
Adventures at N’sis ooloxw with Mariel Belanger and Sqilxw Apna Check out these photos from our water series “Sqilxw Apna: Our Time on the Water”. Salishan Sturgeon Nose Canoe by Dr. Shawn Brigman
Honoured Artist Educator Penticton Arts Rising contributing Muralist
Titles of the past Enowkin Shows at the Penticton Art Gallery:
2015: JANUARY 23 – MARCH 15, 2015
Cultural Awakening Through the Arts The Students and Faculty of the En’Owkin Centre
2016:JANUARY 22 – MARCH 13, 2016
Embodying Legacy at En’owkin – National Aboriginal Professional Artist Training Program (NAPAT) Staff and Alumni Exhibition
2017:Friday, January 20th – March 12th 2017
RE: Claiming the Taken
2018:FRI January 26th – SUN March 18th 2018
REsilience #597
Expressions of Indigenous Resilience; Layered all-embracing forms of Indigeneity by youth, elders, and community.
Expressions of culture, ties to traditions, resurgence of land memories being expressed through the work of the people and the revival of the plants and animals to rise up against efforts of erasure.
DEFINITION – re·sil·ience
noun
1. The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
“The often remarkable resilience of so many NATIVE institutions”
2. The ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
“spit’sən (dog bane hemp) is excellent in durability and resilience”
Read through the Implements, and Mariel Belanger pages to learn more.