NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF WELLINGTON
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Wellington County Museum and Archives, in collaboration with our Indigenous Partner Amber Holmes (Naawayaa) (they/them/ki/kin), is pleased to unveil Living in Relation. This family friendly exhibit provides engaging opportunities such as experiencing Anishinaabe teachings through one-on-one conversations with Amber, seeing and learning about traditional medicines, reading stories by indigenous authors, and playing and participating in activities that promote self-reflection about our relationships to the environment.
“Living in Relation is a concept of understanding about how we exist only in relation to the things around us,” says Amber Holmes (Naawayaa). “This exhibit is a “living exhibit,” meaning it will constantly change and evolve over the duration of the show with different seasonal medicines on display. It brings attention to what is under our feet and all around us, including the plants, the animals, and the waters that sustain us as human beings. It explores the concept of ‘who we are’ as being relational to the land, the water and each other.”
Amber is Two-Spirited of mixed Anishinaabe and European descent. The name Naawayaa means “One in the Middle” and this exemplifies the work that ki accomplishes within the community. Ki has spent many years supporting reconciliation and fostering connections with Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and communities.
“This exhibit is designed very differently than anything we have done before,” says Amy Dunlop, Curatorial Assistant. “We worked collaboratively with Amber to design an eco-friendly exhibit experience that is very much in alignment with Anishinaabe teachings.”
The exhibit runs until January 22, 2023. Wellington County Museum and Archives is located on Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora and is open weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and on weekends from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Admission is by donation. Learn more at www.wellington.ca/livinginrelation/
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