Aboriginal students among first arts graduates

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High on a hill in Elliot Lake, stands an independent, post-secondary art school and innovative centre like no other in the world. Housed in a brand-new building filled with natural light are plants, a ceremonial court, skylights to naturally light the eight artists' studios, an extensive multimedia artists library, a world class gallery and art shop unique to northern Ontario. All this is surrounded by pristine wilderness. On May 4, the White Mountain Academy of the Arts held its first four-year graduation ceremony.

Four years ago 22 students started a course of study; the 10 who completed it received an Associate Diploma from the academy. Two graduates were members of the Timiskaming First Nation of Notre Dame du Nord, Que., and one was Metis.

"Schools that help students facilitate the vision of art are fairly unusual and unique in this country, and there are a limited number of them. White Mountain is the newest of those schools; it's also the smallest and it is unusual in quite a number of ways, not the least of which is that it came into being at all," explained Dr. Robert Kavanagh, executive director and academic dean. He added it came about "because the Serpent River First Nation, the city of Elliot Lake and the North Shore Tribal Council collaborated over the last 7 to 10 years to try to bring this dream into some sort of reality. In 1998 this dream had reached the point whereby we had acquired this facility, which is remarkable-there is no other facility like this in Canada. Particularly how it is equipped from an art school point of view. The equipment is extensive and the studios are exquisite. You've got ceramics, print making, computers, photography, sculpture, tradition Native arts, and more," he said.

The private, non-profit school receives no provincial funding. The initial launch money came as a result of mine closures in Elliott Lake and from Ontario Hydro. That was supplemented by $400,000 to 500,000 from Indian Affairs and by smaller amounts from the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, from the Regional Community Development Council and other agencies.

"In April, we were recognized by the Department of Canadian Heritage and have been fortunate to be granted a $1.5 million three-year grant which will help us to stabilize our core. We also recently have been granted a further $500,000 from FedNor (a wing of Industry Canada)," said the dean.

"These monies will allow us to increase our specialization. At the present time (we have) a diploma akin to what is offered at Emily Carr, the Alberta College of Art and the Ontario College of Art. We will now be offering a two-year Professional Studio Arts program, this is specific to studio practices," stated Kavanagh.

The academy's programs provide academic, technical and business skills. Ninety-nine per cent of the school's focus is visual art, but there is an Artist's Audio Class.

Unique to the school is the incorporation of Native philosophies of respect for individuality and co-operation. The inclusion of Native culture, history and traditions provides a unique opportunity to enrich each student's life.

"We were approached by the city of Elliot Lake 8 to 10 years ago to work with the city to bring their vision into reality. We worked in the beginning quite extensively with First Nations artisans, craftspeople, practitioners in the traditional Native arts to develop what we felt was the beginning of a First Nations' bachelor of arts concept.

"The Elders said no, it's not really about arts and crafts it's really more about sharing who we are as a people. By sharing who we are as a people, we're bringing in the cultural, the ceremonial and the values of what we are all about as a people. First Nations sit on the board of directors of the academy and First Nations' art is taught here," stated Chief Earl Commanda of Serpent River First Nation and chairman of the North Shore Tribal Council.

Also closely involved with this scool is Nelson Touluse of the Sagamok First Nation. The deputy grand Chief and acting CEO of the Union of Ontario Indians, Toulouse is also chairman of the board of directors of the White Mountain Academy of the Arts.

Toulouse spoke eloquently during the graduation ceremony and presented each graduate with a medicine bag, which he placed around their necks after they received their diplomas.

"It gives me great pleasure to see these students who have worked so hard graduating today. This school is a fine example of how First Nations and their non-Native counterparts can work together to bring about the creation of a teaching facility of this calibre," stated Toulouse.

The academy also has a resident Elder and holds an annual traditional powwow.

Karl Chevrier, who is from Timiskaming First Nation, said the day he graduated: "I had applied to come here because I've been doing painting for years. Now after four years I'm graduating. I feel so honored to be one of the first graduates from the school and that there are three Native people in the first graduating class is wonderful. Last year in our summer break I went back home to my community and taught art to the young people. They were really thirsty for it, there isn't a lot to do in our community-we don't have a powwow going yet, we have people who still go into the bush but the young people seem kind of lost. I want to help some of them before they have to learn things the way that I did.

"I can't wait to go home, in fact I'm leaving here today, I'm really looking forward to teaching art and being there for people who want to know more about art. I've learned so much and now I can't wait to share it. I hope that I can open some doors, especially for the youth and help them to find out how creative they can really be. I've helped organize an artists' co-op at home and we have at least 13 artists involved already. Who knows how many more are sitting at home afraid to come out or who don't think their wok is good enough or who onl do it part time?"

Karl Chevrier also stated: "I was a painter when I started here four years ago, and I'm leaving a sculptor and a welder. I love working with clay and metals because I can mold them and bend them and create something from something else. At home I go to the dump to bring things home instead of taking things there. I have made a lot of new things out of old things. I've also taught the kids at home where to look for clay, we have some good clay beds and kids love to manipulate things with their hands, so clay has been a big hit.

"I always loved to do art, but now I know enough about it to be able to teach it and give more back to my community. They sponsored me to come here and I can't wait to go home and work in my shop and spend at least the summer teaching whoever wants to learn.

Fellow graduate Christopher Wabie