August 2016
Indigenous artists invited to create public art in downtown Winnipeg
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
By: Stephanie Taylor Metro Published on Fri Aug 19 2016
The Winnipeg Arts Council is searching for Indigenous artists to create more public art downtown.
The council has put out a call for First Nations, Metis and Inuit visual artists to submit expressions of interest to conceptualize and design three public artworks for Air Canada Window Park, located at the corner of Portage Avenue and Carlton Street.
In its call to artists, the council touts the site as a gathering place for our city’s local Indigenous community.
The council said the idea to commission the artworks came after a meeting between a group of Indigenous artists, elders, scholars and curators.
In their submission, artists are asked to consider the importance of the site in the context of being Treaty One land, which is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people and homeland of the Metis nation.
If successful, one artist will be awarded a budget of $200,000 while the remaining two will each received $100,000.
Artists are invited to submit their expressions of interest until September 8.
The projects are to be installed by next fall.
Find the original article here
Shahina Siddiqui, Michael Redhead Champagne named humanitarians of the year
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Two well-known Winnipeg activists, Shahina Siddiqui and Michael Redhead Champagne, are being honoured with the prestigious Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year awards.
Siddiqui, founder and executive director of the Winnipeg-based Islamic Social Services Association, is being recognized as the 2016 Humanitarian of the Year.
Michael Redhead Champagne, also known as North End MC, is the founder and organizer of Aboriginal Youth Opportunities (AYO!) and this year's Young Humanitarian of the Year.
The awards will be presented Sept. 8 at the Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity Luncheon.
"Both Shahina and Michael have given tirelessly of themselves to bring together people in their respective cultures in a positive manner," said Shawn Feely, vice-president for the Canadian Red Cross in Manitoba.
"They have also both dedicated themselves to bridging cultural differences and connecting people of various backgrounds to work for the common good. They have both shown the power of humanity through their volunteer work and deserve to be recognized."
Siddiqui and ISSA have been dedicated to ensuring new Canadians, especially recent refugees from Syria, have the necessary support to build a new life in Manitoba, states a news release from the Red Cross.
"Her humanitarian efforts have not only benefited refugees but the whole community, as she works to promote tolerance and understanding among people of different cultures and faiths … as well as raising awareness about Islamic people in Manitoba," the news release says.
Champagne has spent countless hours of volunteer work on projects such as the weekly Meet Me at the Bell Tower anti-violence rallies in the city's North End, dedicating himself to positively helping and uniting people of various backgrounds, states the news release.
"Shahina and Michael's success proves that any effort at helping people is time well spent, and that one person's dedication can improve the lives of many," said John Stinson, CEO of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, which sponsors the awards.