A Look at Indigenous Arts: Neechee Studio
Getting Indigenous youth involved in the local art community
Photos by Sarah McPherson
In a city plagued with socio-political discrimination, it is crucial to recognize the efforts of community members to create healthy spaces. Neechee Studio has become a well-known example of this in Thunder Bay, providing free art workshops to Indigenous youth. Starting in 2013, the ever-growing collective of Neechee Studio has worked diligently to provide interesting and safe spaces for people to connect with and get to know other members of the community. They also offer bus passes and free food to attendees. Dedicated to community learning, Neechee works out of Definitely Superior Art Gallery, and offers a wide range of both traditional and contemporary art workshops. Past workshops have included dance, photography, moccasin making, and tote-bag making. In their 2019-2020 season, they have held two workshops with their third coming up on January 17th.
In November, Neechee’s two-part traditional mitt-making workshop saw two packed rooms of people creating beautifully lined leather mitts, by direction of Beau Boucher and Marnie Greenwald. This workshop was a strong start to the season, with attendees from both days adding up to nearly a hundred people. While busy, everyone was involved and actively learning through the artists, the committee members, and the people around them. Committee member Lora Northway could be seen drawing and playing with the younger children. Youth left with knowledge on different stitch types as well as pattern comprehension. The leading artists also offered patterns for youth to take home and re-use in the future.
December’s workshop was more contemporary: sketchbook-binding, led by Cynthia Edwards. Attendees were provided with paper, pre-punched paperboard for covers, and thick, colourful thread to stitch with. Much calmer than the mitt-making workshop, the sketchbook-binding workshop allowed youth to learn how to create their own sketchbook and interact more personally with the Neechee committee.
Focused on empowering the health and well-being of Indigenous youth through artistic expression, Neechee Studio is a prime example of how community projects and art can act as a path of healing (specifically for Indigenous youth). As more and more attention is drawn to the socio-political issues faced by Indigenous youth in Thunder Bay, Neechee Studio will become a stronger and even more valued space for healing, communication, and learning.
