The Paddle Project workshops consisted of a sharing of Indigenous perspective, voices and history of Indigenous traditions through time, while acknowledging water as a sacred gift that connects all life. Through the use of paddle designs, the artists shared stories of water as the most life sustaining gift on Mother Earth and the interconnection among all living beings, how water sustains us, flows between us, within us, and replenishes us, as well as Indigenous symbolism, Water Clans, cycles and Water is Life.
Workshops opened with GANO:NYOK (Thanksgiving Address) serving as a daily reminder to appreciate and acknowledge all things and reinforcing the connection that people have to the world around us. Unique in nature, artist led workshops included time to work on paddles, designs through painting, drawing, carving of paddles for the final Eagle (messenger) sculpture, and a collaborative wampum belt (dish with one spoon)
The unveiling event held at Chiefswood Park was held as a drive-in concert including performances by James Wilson, Steve Johnson, Hunter Sky, Teha Henhawk, Erika LaForce, Music for the Spirit Youth & special guest Derek Miller.
