As I have become involved in art, I have really noticed how much Deaf and Native culture have in common. As an a carver and artist, I use visual images passed down without a written form, much like I do in Deaf culture. Art is a visual language and is not written. So, it would seem obvious that the First Nations would be very keen on the visual arts. There are many famous First Nations artists who have continually and accurately portrayed the First Nations experiences on their media of choice. Art culture itself is even passed down “verbally” through storytelling, songs, ceremony, totems, carvings, rituals, paintings, community gathering, dancing, performances, dreamings, and designs – not through books like non-native cultures.
Like First Nations art, there is a wealth of Deaf art including poetry, stories, theatre, media, mime, games and comedy and that teach the culture. Most of these are not written down. There are couple examples of links related to Deaf Culture: Deaf Culture Centre and Deaf artist websites.
These avenues demonstrate and support the way Deaf people lives their lives: being Deaf and proud! Now, you may notice that in First Nations communities, we are also proud of who we are.
First Nations has a culture of art that reaches both positive and negative ends of the spectrum unlike any others; I have truly learned so much about the First Nations simply by seeing the artwork that First Nations culture produces. The First Nations people have experienced many negative life changing events throughout history. They’ve been strongly oppressed and labeled as “non-human” in the early centuries. More recently, have even been forbidden to express and identify with their spirituality in a variety of different ways. That is why the Freda Diesing Art School is so important. The strong positive connections and community in the First Nations Fine Art program is like finally finding the light at the end of a dark tunnel.
The Deaf community has also hundred of years of oppression. Even 130 years ago, they were forbidden to use their sign language and even now are expected to conform to hearing society. Should we be forced to wear FM devices, hearing aids or surgically altered (cochlear implants) to fit this society? Is this supposed to make our lives easier or is it supposed to make hearing society more comfortable?
Just like with First Nations culture, not all people agree and some have good reasons for this disagreement. I just want to educate that these are decisions we all have to make for ourselves. I can only share my experience as a First Nations Deaf person and hope that you will make your own decisions.
I hope that you have gained as much from reading this as I have from writing this blog. I also wanted to show you what I have been making out of little buttons for Christmas ornaments, see a cute Snowman on left, White angel on top right and Santa Claus on right below. Hope you can see the photo that I took from my Christmas tree as the Christmas lights may have made it a bit bright in the background.
Please have a safe and happy holidays. See you in the New Year 2012!
Hello Freda Deising School Students, Teachers and you, Paula.
You have put this so clearly, when you mentioned that not letting the 1st nations express themselves, it was as the show, golden compass, when they cut the daemons out, it was much the same for our people.. You have a powerful 'voice' for your class of artists. Thanks.
Reynold and Charlotte
Posted by: Reynold Collins / Charlotte Point | 12/17/2011 at 08:38 PM
A statement that truely came from the heart.
Alan Blyth
Posted by: Alan Blyth | 12/18/2011 at 09:19 AM