Unceded

Vancouver, Day 9

Today began with some of the heaviest rain I think I've ever seen, but the weather cleared up by lunchtime and the afternoon was perfect.

We caught the bus out to the University of British Columbia (UBC) to visit the Vancouver Museum of Anthropology for an exhibition by Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, a First Nations artist of Coast Salish and Okanagan descent who lives and works in Vancouver.

The exhibition, 'Unceded Territories', collects work from the last 30 years - all of which is highly political and breathtakingly beautiful. It touches on the centuries of injustice done to the First Nations people of this country; colonisation, human rights violations and environmental catastrophes which continue to this day.

What I loved about Yuxweluptun's art was the way it subverts not only the generally understood traditions of 'native art' but also the tropes of western abstract art - whilst managing to honour both. I was impressed and moved by what I saw. You can find out more here http://moa.ubc.ca/portfolio_page/lawrence-paul/

We also took the opportunity to look at other galleries in the museum and the totem poles and longhouses outside which all relate to the lives and stories of the North West Coast First Nations Peoples.

The building itself is today's blip subject. What a magnificent piece of architecture it is!

Today's song choice is 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee' by Buffy Sainte-Marie, who was born on the Piapot Plains Cree First Nation Reserve over in Saskatchewan www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VXF7XzHgoA