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MIXED BAG MAG ARTIST FEATURE: Sarah Yankoo

Sarah Yankoo "is Algonquin, Irish, Hungarian, Romanian and Scottish and edge walks between the bush and the city that gathers in Toronto." While in York University's Environmental Studies program she discovered the poetry of Marvin Francis in a class titled "Indigenous Literature, Survival and Sovereignty" and for her, the earth moved. Her response was to become one of the tenacious ones who seeks to uncover what some have tried to make us forget. Her photographic work is about creating an image bank demonstrating that in urban spaces a counter-mapping movement is taking place - graffiti tagging, arts activism, and even random formations seem to be giving us a message. (view her images in below post)

Sarah will be performing in Toronto tonight along with Skookum Sound System and special guest Lido Pimienta for Native Women in the Arts "Catalyst Series" with BOLD As Love Collective at The Music Gallery, 

Read more about Sarah and see her work on MIXED BAG MAG's latest post - COUNTER-MAPPING THE CITY TREATY: Taking Indigeneity to the Streets

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COUNTER-MAPPING THE CITY TREATY: Taking Indigeneity to the Streets

MIXED BAG MAG's latest post takes a look at counter-mapping as a strategy for indigenizing urban spaces while at the same time opening up a dialogue around history's blindspots.

"Counter-mapping is a term used to refer to the intentional use of mapping methodology and technology such as GIS, cartography and geomatics to make visible how dominant power systems have used maps as a way to assert control over territories often for the purpose of resource extraction and/or settlement.

In Canada, oral histories are now considered an important part of counter-mapping and testimonies of the historical use of that land by Indigenous populations becomes a way of providing evidence at land claims.

Beyond the legal applications, counter-mapping combined with visual ways of expressing space are being used by artists as a way of marking places with counter-narratives."

Read more on MIXED BAG MAG... 

Images by Sarah Yankoo of City Treaty. Top image of mural by Haida artist Corey Bulpitt. Bottom image Métis symbol replicates on subway stairs.

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#HAVEAHEARTDAY 4 FIRST NATIONS KIDS: Ottawa Children gather on Parliament Hill to support Education Equity for Aboriginal Youth

Each year local school children arrive on the Hill to give speeches in support of equitable education‬ for all ‪children in Canada / Turtle Island. It's a great event put on by First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.

It's encouraging to see young ‪activists in the making who have a dream for a different kind of Canada - one that is more socially just and safe for everyone.

The event is starting now and you can participate by tweeting messages of support with the hashtag #haveaheartday to @CaringSociety. 

For more information read MIXED BAG MAG's article on last year's #HaveAHeartDay:

BEST WAY TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY: #HaveAHeart on Parliament Hill

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TORONTO DESIGN OFFSITE: Jay Wall revealed

Jay Wall designs for the good of Toronto.

I was probably first aware of Jay's presence through his work. His baby is STUDIO JAYWALL a “Toronto-based team specializing in creative direction and graphic/interactive design for social, culture, environmental and city-building initiatives.” I like that Jay uses his creative powers for good and that he understands how beautifully designed visuals can motivate people to change – even encourage an activist spirit! Read more about Jay on MIXED BAG MAG's latest post -http://mixedbagmag.com/2015/01/jay-wall/ FYI - STUDIO JAYWALL & LOKI's "Reading/Writing the Junction" is opening tonight as part of TO DO. More info and link to Facebook Event Page on the post. 

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TORONTO DESIGN OFFSITE: Who will be revealed next?

The individuals who make the Toronto Design Community thrive.

It's almost time to reveal the final individual whose design work I respect and whose commitment to community building I admire. It's been great writing about all 3 of these people who make the design community in Toronto strong.

Yesterday's post was on Vivien Leung, the woman behind the successful Toronto chapter of Pecha Kucha and Monday's post featured textile designer Libs Elliott's amazing work with quilts.

Who will be the final reveal? Hint - he loves typography, bicycles and Jane Jacobs.

www.mixedbagmag.com

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TORONTO DESIGN OFFSITE: Vivien Leung revealed

Vivien Leung’s energy infuses the Toronto design community & kicks off today's TO DO feature.

My first memory of Vivien Leung was of this beautifully dressed woman pitching Pecha Kucha at a Design with Dialogue meetup co-hosted with TO DO. After that we kept randomly intersecting each other at street corners as we were running off to some event because we are both the kind of people who believe that community building is vital and participating online is not the same as showing up in person.

You can sense that Vivien is the type of individual to insert herself gracefully into any context, quickly identify a need and then without missing a beat start to nurture growth. She has played an important part in the emergence of a strong design community in Toronto.

Read more about Vivien on MIXED BAG MAG's latest post.

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TORONTO DESIGN OFFSITE: Who will be revealed next?

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The individuals who make the Toronto Design Community thrive.

Last week I had a chance to photograph 3 individuals whose work I respect and who I believe to be the types of people that make the Toronto design scene interesting and energized.

Yesterday's post featured textile designer Libs Elliott's amazing work with quilts.

Who will be revealed next?

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REVEALING TEXTILE DESIGN LIBS ELLIOTT: "Wrap Yourself in Code" part of Toronto Design Offsite Festival

"Breaking with tradition while bending the boundaries of craft, technology and design, her creations are like a post-structural take on textiles. You could succinctly wrap up Jacques Derrida in one of these deconstructed babies." 

See more of Lib Elliott's stunning work on MIXED BAG MAG's latest post. 

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BIG REVEAL: Whose hiding behind that amazing quilt?

Excited about MIXED BAG MAG's upcoming post on Toronto textile designer Libs Elliott and her incredible quilts. Her "Wrap Yourself in Code" show is part of this year's Toronto Design Offsite opening today!

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TORONTO DESIGN OFFSITE: Countdown is on…

One more day before TO DO ’15 kicks off for another year of the best of independent design in Toronto.

What will be revealed? Wait and see…

2015 Festival Program

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REMEMBRANCE DAY OTTAWA: Monuments, Memory & the Cultural Amnesia Many Work to Change

Remembrance Day at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument & the National War Memorial Ottawa, Canada. 

I will let my images speak for themselves. See the full coverage on Mixed Bag Mag's latest post - http://mixedbagmag.com/2014/11/monuments-memory/

Above images by Leah Snyder for www.mixedbagmag.com. 

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REMEMBRANCE DAY: Aboriginal Veterans Ceremony at Confederation Park Ottawa

Aboriginal Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony

11 November 2014 9:00 am At the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument Confederation Park, Ottawa Map here 

From the Aboriginal Veterans Facebook Group page

"Aboriginal Veterans from the local area hold a small Remembrance Ceremony at the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument located in Confederation Park. The Ceremony will start at about 9:00 a.m. There is a chance to smudge before the ceremony, our Women do some drumming and singing before we start. The Ceremony is very informal and everyone in attendance has the opportunity to participate. Anyone can approach the Monument to lay an offering, gift, wreath, silent prayer or whatever feels appropriate. It does not last too long and there is time to grab a coffee/beverage before the National Ceremony starts at 11:00"

Everyone welcome!

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FREE HUGS & LANGUAGE LESSONS: Savannah Simon teaches us to #SpeakMikmaq

Each day this week I am going to share the amazing talent I encountered this weekend at the Fondation Michaëlle Jean Foundation's ‪Power of The Arts‬ ‪| Pouvoir Des Arts‬ Forum at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. 

Today I am posting on Savannah Simon whose passion, along with making us feel loved, is to teach us her language. She's going about it in a very 21st Century way that includes a hashtag and a twitter campaign.

‪#‎SpeakMikmaq‬ “L’nuisi, it’s that easy.”

Twitter handle @MsNativeWarrior

Want to know why she does it? You can find out here - http://mixedbagmag.com/2014/11/savannah-simon/ 

Above images by Leah Snyder for www.mixedbagmag.com. 

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IN MEMORY OF A FALLEN SOLDIER AT THE WAR MONUMENT IN OTTAWA TODAY

A soldier lost his life today while watching over the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” at the War Monument, Ottawa. Our thoughts are with the family impacted by the loss of someone they love as well as with the country of Canada. May our leaders act with discretion and wisdom. May they look at the systems that lead to the radicalization of people and take actions that work towards peace rather than promote militarization.

Images by Leah Snyder for www.mixedbagmag.com. 

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NUIT BLANCHE BEGINS!

Memories of Nuit Blanche 2013 and Toronto artist Bruno Billio's "Familia" - a great art moment! 

Wishing everyone a inspiring, safe & dry night! 

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THEASTER GATES AT TORONTO'S PREFIX INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART

'The' Theaster Gates is coming to Toronto and will be at Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art! Moderated by Pamela Edmonds (Third Space Art Projects) Theaster will be speaking as part of Prefix and York University's URBAN FIELD SPEAKERS SERIES. It's been a great series and this Chicago artist-communityactivator-urbanplanner-potter-entrepreneur is sure to be on fire tomorrow night!  More details on MIXED BAG MAG's latest post -http://mixedbagmag.com/2014/09/urban-prefix-theaster-gates/

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EKOW NIMAKO AT #MNFSTO8 TONIGHT!

Check out this amazing Toronto artist tonight at Manifesto Festival’s 8th Annual Art Show.

MANIFESTO EVENT DETAILS

WHERE: Steam Whistle Roundhouse, 255 Bremner Blvd. WHEN: 7pm – 2am HOW MUCH: $15 advance tickets purchased here MORE DETAILS: All-ages & Licensed w/ ID and more info on Facebook Event Page

See more of Ekow’s work on MIXED BAG MAG’s latest post: http://mixedbagmag.com/2014/09/manifesto-sara-golish-ekow-nimako/