New ROM exhibit celebrates Anishinaabeg art, culture

A new exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, co-curated by a well-known Woodland artist from northwestern Ontario, explores Anishinaabeg history and culture through art.

Anishinaabeg: Art & Power, opens on June 17, and will feature paintings, beading, and historical objects such as clothing and tools, brought together to illustrate a rich Indigenous history over several hundred years.

ArtistSaul Williams, from North Caribou Lake First Nation, wasone of three curators who worked on the exhibit.

He said he hopes the exhibit will help to preserve Indigenous teachings and culture.

"We're losing our culture every day. Our language every day. And we've got to do something about it to keep them," he said.

Williams said he also hopesthe display will instill a sense of pride and empowermentin youngIndigenous people who see it.

The exhibit will include beadwork dating as far back to the late 1800s, and objects originating from Ontario, Quebec, Minnesota and the prairies, but the focus isn't solely on the past.

Williams said the organizers took care to make sure thatnew and emerging artists will also be represented.

Anishinaabeg: Art & Power will be on display at the ROM until November 19.