Indigenous photographer launches photograph initiative in Waterloo

WATERLOO —
The founding father of the Ok-W Land Back Camp is seeking to join the tales of Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals to the land they reside on with their new initiative.

Photographer and activist Shawn Johnston has launched the “On the Land” photograph initiative in hopes of continuous the dialog round fact and reconciliation.

“I wanted to use this as an opportunity for folks to take the time to think about where they are, where are they placed right now, what does it mean to stand on this land, and do you know whose land you stand on?” they mentioned.

The mission is a collaboration between Johnston and Create Waterloo.

After delays because of the pandemic, the photograph initiative was put in close to the doorway of the Waterloo Geotime Trail close to Wilmot Line and Columbia Street.

“Just getting excited to finally show these pictures, and at the same time being mindful about working with the subjects in the picture, but also at the same time being able to create space with them where they can actually share their stories with the public,” mentioned Johnston.

The photograph initiative is interactive by means of the usage of QR codes. It may be accessed by scanning the codes, which is able to open up a web site that asks every particular person concerned what it means or what it has meant to reside on this Indigenous territory.

“That’s the whole reason why we started Land Back Camp here,” mentioned Johnston. “We want the community to think about whose land they’re on.”

The photograph initiative will likely be on show till the start of September.