Art Borups Corners
Carving Out Climate Testimony in Manitoba (2022-2023)
“Carving Out Climate Testimony ” undertook the important task of addressing two critical questions: how climate change impacted Inuit youth and what resilience factors enhanced their mental health and well-being. Grounded in the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR), the project considered health research a vital priority. It specifically explored how changes in terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal ecosystems, including sea-ice and coastal processes, permafrost thaw, and varying marine environments, affected the mental health and well-being of Inuit youth. The project was funded by the Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program.
The initiative was created by researchers from Newcastle University and the University of Saskatchewan, enhancing ties through the Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom (CINUK) Research Programme. Immersive experiences and interactions with Elders, artists, and curators enriched the learning process, while youth participants engaged in managing project communications and selecting conferences for participation. The project’s public presentations, notably held in February and during an annual gathering at Qaumajuq in April 2023, celebrated the achievements of young artists and their contributions to their communities.
The project employed a community-engaged and story-based approach, supported by an interdisciplinary team with expertise across the physical and social sciences. This Inuit-led structure allowed community members to guide the research, determining firsthand how these environmental systems were experienced. At the heart of the project was the Inuit practice of storytelling (Unikkausivut), encompassing both verbal and artistic expressions.
In 2023, the “Carving Out Climate Testimony: Manitoba” project took its first steps forward, nurturing the development of Indigenous emerging artists and cultural connectors using Winnipeg, Manitoba as a hub. This project, funded by the Manitoba Arts Council Indigenous 360 Program, provided advanced training, apprenticeship, and mentorship opportunities for participants, focusing on digital arts and cultural entrepreneurship. Drawing from the success of the pilot summer Incubator program funded by the Manitoba Arts Council, it aimed to create sustainable, self-reliant programming for Indigenous youth.
Art Borups Corners is a youth and community-led program aimed at building organizational capacity through creative leadership and arts-based climate entrepreneurship. Projects have been presented at venues ranging from world class institutions like Qaumajuq and the Winnipeg Art Gallery, to the Arctic Congress in Bodø, Norway.
Connecting Communities through Arts and Climate Entrepreneurship
Working alongside Inuit artists, the project leveraged these traditional storytelling methods as a material and intergenerational tool to visually convey the realities of climate change. This approach was not only about documenting experiences but also aimed to shape policies that would bolster resilience strategies.
By placing Indigenous youth at the center, the project promoted self-determination, empowering them to be active stewards of their evolving environments. The project was presented in a special session for the Auviqsaqtut Inuit Studies Conference held at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Qaumajuq and the University of Winnipeg in June, 2022. We learned so much from Tuktoyaktuk about their climate change and resilience programs. They really made the entire program special by joining with us and being part of the conference and we have many fond memories.
The project activities included workshops on exhibition curation, public presentations, and professional development tailored to emerging Indigenous artists. It supported the development of skills necessary for organizing and facilitating arts-based events, with public presentations held in December 2022, February, and April 2023. These sessions fostered community involvement and dialogue, focusing on the artistic and cultural development of Indigenous youth in Manitoba.
This initiative not only empowered participating Indigenous youth by strengthening their artistic identities but also contributed positively to Manitoba’s Indigenous community by nurturing long-term opportunities in the arts and cultural sectors. The efforts and collaborations from 2023 laid a foundation for continued growth in digital and arts-based industries, fostering a vibrant, skilled, and engaged generation of Indigenous artists and leaders.
Visit Our Community Arts and Climate Entrepreneurship Collectives
Our community and regional programs and project have been made possible through support and funding from a number of institutions in the United States and Canada.
