Cathi Charles Wherry is Anishinaabekwe and a member of the Rama Mnjikaning First Nation (Ontario), where her Father was born. Her Mother’s ancestors crossed the ocean from England five generations ago. Since 1979 she has lived on beautiful Coast Salish territory, and now lives in WSANEC with her husband Andy, with their two Sons nearby. A graduate of the Visual Arts Program at Camosun College (1991), Cathi also holds a BFA with Honours in Studio Arts from the University of Victoria (1994). In all of her mixed media and installation work she strives to realize a balanced expression of this training and the Anishinaabemowin that resides in her memory and bones. As a visual artist Cathi has participated in numerous group shows, and has had three solo exhibitions. Through her work she attempts to illuminate unseen stories, threads of time, and the spirit of materials and place. Cathi is also a writer and curator, with projects that include: "invincible spirit" (1995), "earthy gestures" (2001), and "Transporters – Contemporary Salish Art" (2007). She served on the Kakaekwewin Aboriginal Advisory for Canada Council from 2010-2013. Since 1996, Cathi has served as Art Programs Manager for the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, a First Nations directed organization that supports First Nations languages and cultures, and Indigenous arts in British Columbia. Through her work at FPCC she has devoted herself to advocacy, and generating and delivering resources to support the vitality of Indigenous arts. (Bio provided by artist, December 2017) ARTIST INFO: My creative work – visual art, curatorship, writing, community development and advocacy - reflects my perspective as an Anishinaabekwe of mixed ancestry. I’ve worked hard to understand my place in this world, and this has made me more whole, able to assert my true self, and find genuine meaning on my path. The ARROWS are a personal interpretation of the Seven Mishoomis/Nokomis Debaajimowinan that we are given when born as humans onto our Earth Mother: COURAGE, TRUTH, RESPECT, LOVE, HONESTY, WISDOM, and HUMILITY. I’ve heard them shared by many different teachers over the years and they provide insights for conducting ourselves in relation to all of creation. Akde’ewin is courage or the art of being brave. Akde’ewin is to have a strong heart, not in the physical sense, but to be grounded in self-knowledge. Knowing oneself facilitates confidence that allows a person to face life with courage and humility. Debwewin is to be truthful or sincere. O’debwewin is the ‘sound of the heart’, so this is to be a person whose word can be trusted. Mnaadendewin is the art of respect. To see and cherish each other so that we can become of one mind, leads us to be careful about judging or being harsh with each other. Zaagidewin is to be loving, and speaks of being able to both give and be vulnerable to a complete and unconditional love without fearing, or imposing judgement. Gwekwaadisiwin is the art of living an honest life and being straightforward. This embodies forthrightness that is based in love and kindness. Nbwaakawin is a high form of wisdom, and cautions us to be thoughtful with knowledge and to use it in appropriate ways, sharing for the good of everyone. Dbadendiziwin is to have true humility. Remember that you are equal to others, not better and not less. Have compassion for others and fully care for oneself. By seeking to understand these guiding principles our unique individual gifts emerge and we can share and contribute to life around us in a good way. The ARROWS serve as symbols of these interwoven gifts we are given and those we learn to give back. Cathi Charles Wherry, 1996 (2022) Profile on the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective website: http://www.acc-cca.com/wordpress/curator-profile/cathi-charles-wherry/ (Accessed March 10, 2017); LinkedIn page: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/cathi-charles-wherry-7a19058a (Accessed January 11, 2017); First People’s Cultural Council YouTube channel, Cathi Charles Wherry’s Speech at Government House for Arts Event (September 2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ispCkv0pMeY (Accessed January 11, 2017); Artist biography on Open Space website: http://openspace.ca/people/cathi-charles-wherry (Accessed January 11, 2017) EXHIBITION HISTORY: Wherry’s art has been shown in numerous group and solo exhibitions. Her work in the 2016 group show, “Offerings/Offrandes”, at Open Space Artists Run Centre (http://www.gallerieswest.ca/art-reviews/exhibitions/france-tr%C3%A9panie..., Accessed March 10, 2017) reflects her ongoing artistic exploration of identity, spirituality, place, and story-telling. Wherry’s curatorial work has explored similar themes as evidenced in her 1995 exhibit “Invincible Spirit” at Open Space, “Earthly Gestures” featured at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in 2001, and the 2007 Canada Council of the Arts supported “Transporters: Contemporary Salish Art” exhibit at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, (http://aggv.ca/exhibitions/transporters-contemporary-salish-art, Accessed March 10, 2017).
DESCRIPTION: Seven large arrows, each approximately 244 cm (8 feet) in length, are suspended (and appear to be moving as a group in mid-flight) in the arched-ceiling of the Liz Ashton Centre’s third floor. Each arrow is comprised of a grey arrow-head affixed to a long wooden shaft. Rope or fabric connects the shaft with the arrow’s head and tail (fletching). The fletching is made up of 3 vanes or blades and is followed by a short nock. Cresting of striped bans of colour (red, yellow, black, white) are visible on the shaft. ARTIST STATEMENT (dated 1996): Through my work I explore my identity and spirituality in relation to the time and place that I live in. In an increasingly hostile world, we are all challenged to find spiritual relevance in our everyday activities. In this sculptural installation I want to give form to a personal interpretation of some of the cosmological teachings of my Anishnabe ancestors. The arrows will serve as a metaphor for the seven gifts we are given when we are born as humans on earth: BRAVERY, LOVE, HONESTY, HUMILITY, RESPECT, TRUST and wisdom. I understand these virtues as spiritual tools that are relevant in any time or place. Understanding and using these tools will help us to discover and develop our unique individual gifts. When we learn to do this, we can contribute to life around us in a good way. The arrows serve as symbols of both the gifts we are given and those we learn to give back. An arrow in flight finds a straight path and gracefully moves toward its destination.
