July 2015 - I am grateful for the opportunity to have co-created and collaborated with Indigenous artists and communities from Wasauksing First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, M’Chigeeng First Nations and Aamjiwnaang First Nation. It was essential for the project as we continue to work together to better understand and honour our relationship to water.

I was selected as an artist and commissioned by the Toronto 2015 Arts and Culture Festival of the Panam/Parapan Am Games to create a large-scale exhibition as an attraction for the festival. Working with the festival’s theme of “aqua culture”, I spent two years researching, collaborating, photographing and producing this exhibition.

Requiem of Water was created in collaboration with athletes, dancers, Indigenous artists and leaders including Amy Desjarlais, Waabaakaakakzhe zhaashkeezhgokwe (White Raven Woman with Turquoise Eyes) Ojibway/Potowotomi from Wasauksing First Nation, Santee Smith Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk) Nation, Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, Semiah Smith, Falcon Migwans, Alma Jean Migwans, Sylvia Plain from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Emily Law, Leslie Parker, Max Bouchard, Jen Cooper, Paul Baines of The Great Lakes Commons and Joanne McCue. A special thank you to all of the collaborators.

Requiem of Water was created as a tribute to water and reveals the simple and profound truth that “Water is Life”. The goal of the exhibition was to heighten public awareness, encourage and inspire responsibility of our precious water sources. The exhibition consisted of thirteen-foot prints and a video display with messages from Anishinaabe elders. The exhibition was at Brookfield Place in the Allen Lambert Galleria from July 13 to August 14, 2015.