Sche'chulth: Decolonizing the Arts in Victoria
Throughout the month of March (March 1 to March 31, 2019), Primary Colours/Couleurs primaires partnered with Tah’lum Indigenous Artists Collective; Open Space Arts Society; MediaNet and the ProArt Alliance of Greater Victoria for a series of public events. Sche’chulth was a series of curated activities that addressed the centering of Indigenous artists and artists of colour in the local arts community. These events included an opening reception, performances, discussions, workshops, an Indigenous fundraiser, a concert/dance party and a community feast. The month culminated in a two-day gathering designed and facilitated by Primary Colours/Couleurs primaires.
We honoured the Lekwungen language by using (with permission) the word, Sche’chulth, which roughly means ‘the empty space between us’. The principles of this empty space are to acknowledge it exists and that we have opportunity to fill that space with our gifts.