Saturday evening, July 25, will mark the opening of a unique opportunity for those living and visiting Hornby Island in the Comox Valley in late July/early August.
“Dispossessed but Defiant: Indigenous Struggles from Around the World” is a travelling photo exhibition, made up of over 100 photos depicting different aspects of indigenous peoples’ experiences of dispossession, and their inspiring struggles to resist these processes.
Spanning almost 150 years, the compelling photos of the exhibition capture the experiences of three indigenous groups: Canada’s indigenous peoples, the Palestinians and black South Africans. The struggles of indigenous peoples for human rights, equality and recognition can last generations.
Although each indigenous people is unique, indigenous peoples in many parts of the world have faced similar challenges in the wake of their respective encounters with settlers of European origin and their governments, amongst others.
This powerful exhibit was developed by the Canadians for Justice & Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) Foundation out of Montreal, with contributions from numerous current and archival collections in South Africa, Israel-Palestine and Canada.
It’s sponsored locally by Mid-Islanders for Justice & Peace in the Middle East (MIJPME), in the belief that art can awaken awareness of our common humanity, and cause us to envision a brighter future despite the bleakness of past practices.
The event will be launched with a reception at Joe King Ballpark Clubhouse, Saturday, July 25, 7-9 p.m., with live music by jazz musicians Tony Wilson and Friends, cash bar and refreshments. The exhibit will be open to the public from 10 a.m. - noon and 4 – 6 p.m. each day until Aug. 8.
For more information on the exhibit, phone 250-335-2272. For more information on Mid-Islanders for Justice & Peace in the Middle East, phone 250-331-9391.