In the spirt of acknowledgement of and reconciliation with the First Nations people of the land where we present our programming and exhibitions, the Saint John Arts Centre has dedicated a new permanent public installation featuring a stunning mask by renowned artist Ned Bear.<\/p>\n
The mask is considered a fine early example of Mr. Bear’s work; it is presented with the text of land and treaty acknowledgement in four languages: Wolastoqey, Mi’kmaw, French, and English.<\/p>\n
The Saint John Arts Centre would like to thank the many people who made this important project possible:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Pat O’Leary and his late wife Lynn O’Leary, generous supporters who have donated this important piece of artwork;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Charles Gaffney, Artist and former Indigenous Program Lead & Community Engagement Officer at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, himself a student of Ned Bear, for generously volunteering his time and expertise to guide SJAC in carrying out this project with due respect and care;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Allan Tremblay (Wolastoq Ankuwocomit Translation Service), and Dolores Sock (Mi\u2019kmaw translator) for their professional translation services;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Miville Couture and the New Brunswick Museum for their work and assistance with the French translation;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Taylor Printing Group, our print studio sponsors, for their assistance in designing the text plates<\/p>\n
CBC News reporter\u00a0Logan Perley is a Wolastoqi journalist from Tobique First Nation; his interview with Ned Bear and a mini-documentary featuring his work (and that of fellow First Nations artist Justin Sappier) was done just a few weeks before Mr. Bear’s unfortunate passing on December 24, 2019.<\/p>\n