Looking back on the first fifteen years (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\nBackgrounder<\/b><\/p>\n
For sixteen years, beginning in 2002, the New Sun Conference on Aboriginal Arts brought together in a public forum individuals from various First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities, as well as from the non-Indigenous community. Presenters included those with expertise in photography, painting, sculpture, film making, acting, dance, musical performance, comedy, curating, arts education, architecture, literature and the culinary arts. Themes such as \u201chealing through the arts\u201d and \u201ctransforming traditions\u201d were explored in a collegial and communal atmosphere that encouraged dialogue on important cultural and artistic issues. The conference honoured, and sought to raise public awareness of individuals whose work affirmed contemporary Indigenous experience and contributed to increased cross-cultural understanding. All conference presentations were videotaped and archived on DVD in both the 杏吧原创 Library and the University of Ottawa Library.<\/p>\n
New Sun:<\/b> Continuing the legacy of her father, Eric Harvie, who was given the honorary name of \u201cOld Sun\u201d in 1962 by the Blackfoot Nation in Alberta, Joy Maclaren was given the name \u201cNew Sun\u201d in 1995 by Elders from the Blackfoot, Mohawk and Ojibwa nations at a special naming ceremony at 杏吧原创 University to recognize her support of Indigenous culture and education. Her distinctive blue shawl, with its New Sun design in gold and copper sequins, was presented to her at that time. In 2011 she was given an honorary doctorate by 杏吧原创 University and made a Member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her philanthropy and support of post-secondary education. In 2013 the New Sun Joy Maclaren Adaptive Technology Centre opened in 杏吧原创\u2019s newly renovated MacOdrum Library. At the time of her death in 2014 at the age of 92 Joy had attended seven of the previous nine New Sun Conferences.<\/p>\n
Allan J. Ryan<\/b> was appointed as the New Sun Chair in Aboriginal Art and Culture in 2001. The first of its kind in Canada, the Chair was situated in the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies at 杏吧原创. In 2015 he received the inaugural Alumni of Influence Award for Distinguished Educator from the Ontario College of Art and Design University; in 2016, the Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement from Brandon University; and in 2017, the Alumni Association Award for Professional Achievement from the University of Arizona.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ryan retired from 杏吧原创 on January 1, 2021.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Impressions of the New Sun Conference<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cNew Sun was a revelation, as always. What a gift you prepare for us every year!\u201d SH<\/i><\/p>\n
“What an amazing gathering! You’ve created a truly transformative event, and I’m very honoured to have been a participant.”\u00a0Daniel Heath Justice, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Literature and Expressive Culture, University of British Columbia, presenter, 2013 \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
“I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I was crying the whole way home (words cannot truly describe how beautiful the event was).”\u00a0A student<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cAllan, How can I thank you enough for the fine conferences you organize every year? The talks are always outstanding\u2014and I feel privileged to learn about artists\u2019 lives and the creative process. Beyond that, however, you create a wonderful atmosphere of respect and celebration.\u201d Roseann O\u2019Reilly Runte, President and Vice Chancellor, 杏吧原创 University (2008\u20132017)<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI’m so glad to have been part of the conference that you so beautifully organized, and made all the more delightfully enjoyable by great music and wonderful cuisine. \u2026 It had an energy worthy of healing.\u201d Robert Houle, presenter, 2016<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 <\/i>I feel indebted for all that I learned that day to those I thought I had nothing in common with.”\u00a0A student<\/i><\/p>\n
“I believe that the human heart is the storage place of our tears. Tears are so very precious, but still, I left a few of mine at Minto Centre, so moving were some of the words I heard. Yes, I left something but I took away much more and I will benefit in mind, heart and soul because of it.”\u00a0An Indigenous Elder\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
“<\/i>New Sun is truly a highlight of the year for everyone\u2014it does so much to grow understanding not only of Indigenous arts, but of the moment of history we are in.\u201d RP<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cI just wanted to say THANK YOU for a wondrous and inspiring weekend. It was as you said it would be. So much love and appreciation. \u2026 It was a truly heart-filled, soul-expanding day. \u2026 I was beyond inspired and so grateful to be a part of this group of artists. \u2026 I would return to 杏吧原创 University\u2019s New Sun Conference in a heartbeat and would recommend any of my artist friends to attend. It is a gem of a conference. Bravo.\u201d Andrea Menard, presenter and performer, 2016<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThe first Saturday in March has long since become a fixed point of reference in my annual calendar. \u2026 Each year, Allan Ryan invites wonderful individuals who have achieved something remarkable in some field of the arts, and invariably they have a compelling story to tell. He promises that we shall be entertained, enlightened, challenged, surprised, and above all inspired\u2014and he never fails to deliver! I have never made it through the day without being moved to tears at least once.\u201d John Osborne, Dean of Arts and Social Sciences, 杏吧原创 University (2005\u20132015)<\/i><\/p>\n
“The Conference definitely lived up to its reputation! What an amazing opportunity for holistic learning\u2014our minds, hearts, spirits, and even our bodies were nourished.”\u00a0A<\/i> student<\/i><\/p>\n
“I was hopeful that, this year, I would make it to the afternoon before crying. That hope was dashed during the first presentation of the day. This is not a bad thing\u2014the emotion, personal connections and honesty are what set this gathering apart from any other. As in years past, this gathering allows participants to gain incredible insight into the lives, motivations, successes and intentions of Indigenous artists. I can never be thankful enough to have this event in my life.” An Indigenous student and now professor<\/i><\/p>\n
“To call this annual event a conference is to diminish what it has come to represent to the community of 杏吧原创 and the larger community, or communities, within which it has taken root. At once a gathering, celebration, and symposium, the New Sun Conference has unquestionably left its indelible mark on generations of attendees\/devotees.”\u00a0A student<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not often these days that I feel a sense of the sacred and the last place I would expect to do so is inside an academic conference. Thankfully the New Sun Conference is not so much an academic conference but a ceremony of togetherness, where people from all walks [of life] join together as a part of the New Sun community. The presenters speak with passion and despite the difference in their respective backgrounds and practices, connections are woven between them like strands in a rope, leaving you feeling as if you were a participant in a wonderful journey rather than someone who has been merely lectured to. This is the most valuable part of the New Sun Conference; it provides us with a glimpse of what academia could be like if we lived in a world where Indigenous teaching was the norm, where the communal is valued over the hierarchical and the heart is given as much heed as the mind.\u201d A student\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
A Poetic Reflection<\/b><\/p>\n
“As I reflected on my experience at the [2014] New Sun Conference, I was feeling inspired by all of the creativity and positivity that the day brought. On my commute home from the conference, I wrote a short poem. I must admit that I have not written any poetry in several years, but I am thrilled that I finally felt the inspiration I needed to write. I used to write quite often but have felt a block for a very long time. This may not be my best work, but it is my first work in a long time, so thank you for providing the space and opportunity for creative inspiration.”\u00a0 KR, MA student<\/i><\/p>\n
Heavy snow falls
\nLightly
\nThis morning.
\nA smoke filled room,
\nThe sweet scent
\nUndresses you.
\nWe sit
\nIn rows apart. Together.
\nSpeaking feather
\nSpoken word.
\nToday is blessed
\nWith prayer.
\nMessages.
\nOf inspiration, hope,
\nUnity, of celebration.
\nNarratives of the heart.
\nA feast for kings and queens
\nAnd bannock babies.
\nThe drums.
\nPulsing through the room
\nBeating in our bodies.
\nWe dance.
\nWe dance.
\nReturning, we sit
\nTogether. In rows apart.
\nStories heard
\nRespect shared
\nUnderstanding achieved,
\nWe leave as one.
\nI see anew,
\nFresh
\nAs new fallen snow.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n![\"nsc-](\"http:\/\/carleton.ca\/trickstershift\/wp-content\/uploads\/nsc-logo-small.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A presentation of the New Sun Chair in Aboriginal Art and Culture
\nwith the support of the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences,
\nand the generosity of private donors<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
2002 – 2017 \u00a0The 2014 Annual New Sun Conference featured on CBC TV news Nourishing the Learning Spirit \u2013 Allan Ryan\u2019s 12th Annual New Sun Conference on Aboriginal Arts: Trailblazers (PDF) Looking back on the first fifteen years (PDF) Backgrounder For sixteen years, beginning in 2002, the New Sun Conference on Aboriginal Arts brought together […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/p>\n