Tanya Harnett

Carry-the-Kettle First Nation

Paul First Nation - 2005 Wabamum Clean-up Site of a 700,000 Litre Oil Spill (detail) – 2011
Digital print on rag paper
167 x 112 cm

Paul First Nation - 2005 Wabamum Clean-up Site of a 700,000 Litre Oil Spill (detail)

First Nations people have known the land and the water for thousands of years. As stewards of the land, many First Nations people have borne witness to the rapid environmental changes made by that “invisible hand” of industry. The Scarred/Sacred Water photographs provide portraits of the water bodies as sites of urgent environmental distress and damage. The contaminated water bodies of concern were highlighted with red food colouring by, and with, the direction of the people of that sovereign territory. These are the people who have always had a relationship with the water. The direct knowledge, accounts and truth of this destruction are supported through First Nations language, story and oral tradition. Those who call Canada home have an obligation to clean up, take care of and nurture this place. We need both -- good productivity and good citizenship.

– Tanya Harnett

2018 billboard locations

Treaty:

Please note that not all digital billboards will be displaying Resilience consistently. Treaty, territory, and language information has been referenced from Native Land, and may be incomplete.