WEAVING BELONGING
The ‘Belonging in Unceded Territories’ project was initiated by UBC’s Centre for Migration Studies in order to bring settler colonialism into the centre of conversations on social belonging in Vancouver. It asks: what does it mean for today’s settlers – those among us who have lived here for generations, and those who have just arrived – to acknowledge our own position in relation to Indigenous presence in these lands?How can we develop place-based narratives of belonging that do not shy away from confronting the ugly truth of ongoing settler colonialism? How can we live as good guests on these lands?
The dialogue sessions I facilitated at Immigrant Services Society of BC as part of this project, aimed to address these questions and served as the inspiration for my artist residency with STEPS Public Art. Through the artwork, I aimed to amplify personal narratives that span diverse positionalities: Indigenous voices rooted in this land, those from distant shores, immigrants seeking new beginnings, settlers laying down roots, and refugees in search of sanctuary. Each perspective brings a unique lens to conversation about belonging, negotiating aspects of identity, history and our shared existence on unceded territories.
The ‘placemat’ of belonging we weave together as part of this work is a testament to our interconnected lives, where individual paths intersect to form a vibrant collective. It's a dynamic, evolving process, enriched by every new participant who shares their story. This body of work aims to invite dialogue and introspection about belonging, the functions of memory, and how we are shaped by our relationships to each other and the land. It is a call to reckon with our past, engage with our present, and envision a future where we are active participants in the ongoing process of reconciliation.
You can read more about this via STEPS Public Art and UBC Centre for Migration Studies.
These drawings feature artwork created by my collaborators—Antje Ellermann, Chief Janice George, Elmir Ismayilov, Gloria Tsui, Sussan Yáñez, Valentina Voloshko, and Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph—during our interviews. They also integrate my responses to their stories, coming together to form a new narrative.
(If you would like to listen to the interviews, click here!)
These photos were taken by Thomas Jose at an opening workshop and closing reception held at the Clinton Park Fieldhouse.
This work is generously supported by STEPS Public Art, UBC’s Center for Migration Studies, The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, Bridging Divides and Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. Artwork printed on fine art paper and canvas by Michal Cabaj.
It was later shown as part of the The Field Guides Exhibition at the Roundhouse, which showcased the Vancouver Park Board’s Fieldhouse Activation Project. These activations repurpose fieldhouses in parks as creative hubs for arts, food security and environmental stewardship.
