Tāłtān for Reclamation 1, moose-hide paper, tarp, laser cut, spray paint; made at Banff Residency, Winter 2017
Tsēmā
Tāłtān for Reclamation: I asked my language team – what is a word I can use for reclamation? Reclamation, thinking about returning the land to a “natural” state after development; or in Indigenous practice, using a material to its full potential, even the parts that could be thrown away (tailings, parts of an animal, etc.). The Tāltān word that was given to me is “esghanānā,” which translates to, “give it back to me” in English. I imagined the land calling to industrial sites of trauma, saying “ESGHANĀNĀ!”
The first iteration of Tāłtān for Reclamation was made in 2016 as a spray painted stencil onto paper made with scrapings from tanning a moose hide. The second version, I imagined as a larger stencil marking mine sites in Tahltan territory. But after visiting my territory, which had been devastated by forest fires the previous year, and after seeing how the once dead land was healing itself, I knew I was instead meant to mark this time of rebirth and reclamation. When I sprayed a large rock, the ash was a buffer for part of the word and will eventually cause the paint to wash from the rock. Over time all that will be left is “ES” the pronoun for me, or in this case, the LAND, the most important character in the work, and the true model for reclamation.
Tāłtān for Reclamation 2, from T4R2 series, photographic documentation of a performance in Tahltan Territory, image: Erin Siddel, 2019
Tāłtān for Reclamation 2, from T4R2 series, photographic documentation of a performance in Tahltan Territory, image: Erin Siddel, 2019
Tāłtān for Reclamation 2, from T4R2 series, photographic documentation of a performance in Tahltan Territory, image: Erin Siddel, 2019
Tāłtān for Reclamation 2, from T4R2 series, photographic documentation of a performance in Tahltan Territory, image: Erin Siddel, 2019
Tsēmā is an interdisciplinary artist and member of the Tahltan Nation. She uses Potlatch methodology to create conceptual artwork and teachings influenced by her mentorship in Northwest Coast Formline Design at K’saan (2005/06), her studies in visual culture, and time in the mountains. She has a Bachelor's degree from Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2011) and graduated from the Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design program at OCADU with her thesis work, LAND|MINE which connected materials to mine sites and bodies to the land. Tsēmā won the 2018 Emily Award for outstanding ECUAD alumni; was 1 of 25 winners of the 2020 Sobey Award; and has exhibited and performed her work in various venues in Canada and internationally in Sweden, Mexico, USA and Chile.
Kootenay Gallery of Art
120 Heritage Way
Castlegar, BC V1N 4M5
kootenaygallery[dot]telus.net
250-365-3337
Oxygen Art Centre
#3-320 Vernon St. (alley entrance)
Nelson, B.C. V1L4E4
info[dot]oxygenartcentre.org
250-352-6322
We acknowledge with gratitude that our galleries are located on the unceded traditional territory of the sn̓ʕay̓ckstx Sinixt Arrow Lakes and Yaqan Nukij Lower Kootenay Band peoples in Nelson and the unceded traditional territory of the sn̓ʕay̓ckstx Sinixt Arrow Lakes in Castlegar. We would like to thank the Sinixt, Yaqan Nukiy Ktunaxa, and the many diverse Indigenous and Métis people who live here now for the opportunity to live, work and host cultural experiences within this beautiful watershed.