U of L develops new website connecting historical Blackfoot artifacts in British museums to people
It took three years of research, filming and designing, but now the University of Lethbridge, three British museums and researchers from the U.K. along with Blackfoot elders have launched the Mootookakio’ssin website.
It's a place where anyone in the world can learn about Blackfoot artifacts and stories.
“Some of the research, we’ve tried to put a story behind what has been collected because it did belong to somebody and it did mean something,” said Jerry Potts, a Blackfoot elder who worked on the project.
“Some of these items were from the first contact the Blackfeet had with settlers. The material we are looking at was developed before there was any trade, so they were made with quill work and natural dyes,” added Potts.
Melissa Shouting, a member of Kainai Nation and a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences, says part of the process was to travel to Britain to document and photograph the historical items.
“One of the reasons I said yes to going there was because we weren’t just going to look at the items and keep that knowledge to ourselves, we were going there to eventually create this website that really illustrates who we are, and then deliver it back to our community,”
The new Blackfoot Digital Library creates links to non ceremonial objects. It involved Christine Clark, a new media professor at the U of L, and her students, who created 3D images of each object as a way to reconnect the items with the Blackfoot culture.
“In recognizing the lack of access to the material during a time where there’s a process of knowledge renewal, we felt like creating a greater level of access to that material and as well as detailed images of them,” said Clark.
Students working on the project say it's another way of bringing awareness to truth and reconciliation.
“It’s a very important step in the right direction. These items more or less belong here so, to be able to at least bring them closer is very valuable,” said Calvin Lloyd, a research assistant and recent U of L grad.
Some of the artifacts featured on the website date back to the 1700s. Shouting says Blackfoot artists can now use the website to see the historical items to guide their own artistic practices.
“It just feels amazing to be able to show people and invite them into world and teach people a little bit, but also allow artisans to use the website so that they can create items as well.”
It’s also another way to teach Blackfoot youth and non-Indigenous people about the culture and its resilience.
Mootookakio’ssin translates to “distant awareness.”
There is a Blackfoot committee consisting of elders and consultants that focuses on repatriation of historical artifacts. Because the ones shown on the website are non-ceremonial, elders say they are happy to leave them in the British museums.
You can check out the website here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.