2024 OVERVIEW
2024 marked the second year of independent operation for the Indigenous Resurgence Project (IRP). Without outside funding sources, the project relied heavily on community partnerships and relationships with other arts organizations. Working with partners has allowed the project to continue to support Indigenous artists in the BC Southern Interior region as we continue to work towards independence and building a strong organizational foundation.
The IRP continues to put artist representation at the forefront through our two main pillars of operation:
Supporting Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs by showcasing and promoting their personal social enterprise.
Provide inclusive and accessible arts and culture activities to Indigenous participants in the Kamloops area, with the main focuses being to bypass financial barriers to participation and welcome all participants regardless of background or social standing.
Our top community partners in 2024 were:
Kamloops Arts Council
2 Rivers Remix Society
Kamloops Film Society
Fashion Speaks International
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Redefining the Perspective: the many forms of Indigenous art
Exhibition ran from June 1st - June 25th, 2024
This collective exhibition is a way to show the unique and intricate diversity of artists in the area. Indigenous artists and the pieces they create come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs - some following familiar patterns of traditional practices and others recontextualizing art in new and modern styles.
Ten different artists, coming from several different areas around the interior, participated in this group exhibition. The exhibition ran from Saturday, June 1st, to Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 and was made possible by the Kamloops Arts Council and their partners.
The Kamloops Arts Council has already committed to exhibitions in 2025 and 2026, establishing an annual showcase of Indigenous artists in the community.
You can see our new exhibition page here, browse photos from the last show, and keep updated on upcoming exhibition applications and news.
2 Rivers Remix Society: Tk'emlups Feast of Contemporary Indigenous Music & Culture
July 5th, 6th, and 7th
Photo courtesy of 2 Rivers Remix Society
2024 marked the third year that the 2 Rivers Remix Society has hosted a festival in the city. This year, the even took place at the Kamloops Race Central track on Mt. Paul Way. Being hit with a record heat wave that weekend, the event did not see as much foot traffic as previously, but lots of good memories were made and friendships built.
Over the last three years, the 2 Rivers Remix Society has partnered with the Indigenous Resurgence Project for Kamloops-local event consultation and artisan market coordination, as well as to help coordinate the non-musician artists and vendors for the annual Indigenous music festival.
Aberdeen Mall Indigenous Pop-Up Market
Sponsored by Aberdeen Mall and in partnership with Fashion Speaks International, Indigenous Project Events, and coordinated by Indigenous Resurgence Project, we hosted a one-day pop-up market in the center of the Kamloops Aberdeen Mall to showcase Indigenous vendors for June 21st.
9 different artists participated in the market, a free sage-tie workshop was held, and two different fashion designers were featured in a mannequin model display throughout the mall.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Littlesky Documentary and Fundraiser
In 2024, the Indigenous Resurgence Project was onboarded on to the Littlesky Documentary project, providing on the ground logistical support, contacts with local artists, and a path into the arts community in the region.
The "Littlesky" documentary honors the legacy of the late Rod 'Littlesky' Bandura and the work he and his wife, Margit Bandura, have done with creating the Music For the People Celebration. Join us on a journey of healing as we explore how music and creativity can intertwine communities, help us overcome challenges, and heal from trauma and grief.
Alongside working and scheduling the principle shooting, we also hosted a small fundraiser at the Kamloops Stir on the North Shore. Members of the documentary team were present to share updates on the project, and an open mic featured Benjamin Webster, Margit Bandura, and Henry Small.
Music for the People Concert
September 8
Working alongside the team with the Littlesky documentary, and supporting Margit Sky Productions on the event day, this concert was a beautiful homage to Rod Bandura and the important friends and family he left his legacy with.
The free event drew an approximate crowd of 1,400 people for the evening.
3rd Annual Kamloops Indigenous Film Festival
The third annual Indigenous film festival at the Paramount Theatre was an amazing success!
The IRP helped out with their 2 day Indigenous pop-up market at the TNRD Atrium, located just outside the public library.
Changing the Narrative: 2024 Arts BC Conference
October 3rd - 5th
Arts BC’s bi-annual conference took place at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, where community arts leaders, cultural visionaries, and creative minds from across the province gathered to re-connect, learn together, and share knowledge, stories, and ideas.
ONLINE CONNECTIONS & SHARING INFORMATION
The IRP continued to provide online support, but pulled back on some of the more time-consuming platforms like the online events calendar. We pivoted to sharing more information through our newsletters and Facebook platforms.
Our monthly e-newsletter continues to be one of our most used resources. Over the course of the year, we averaged with a 85.6% newsletter opening rate. Our newsletter includes upcoming events, artist call-outs, arts funding opportunities, and job offers. We are happy to all of those who utilized our newsletter to apply for new positions, join events, and receive grants.
KUKWSTSETSEMC
For all the wonderful and continued support over the last year. It's all thanks to the people who engage with us and support our events, workshops, and platform - people who share, gave us feedback, and tell us what they want to see from a community-based platform. So thank you all for helping us be the platform we are, because we couldn't have done it without you!
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