The Museum of Surrey hosts ‘Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass’ event
Attendees can view a variety of Indigenous art and enjoy live performances on July 13 and 14
Artwork by Kalum Take Dan. (Submitted)
The Museum of Surrey will host a two-day “Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass” event featuring Indigenous art, food, and performances on July 13 and 14.
The event is an ensemble of Indigenous art forms including drawing, painting, beading, and woodworking among others, according to the Museum of Surrey’s website.
“It gives people a chance to see the amazing Indigenous art that we can create. It also gives us the chance to show our art together and … [uplift] one another,” says Maryanne Landrie, the event organizer.
Attendees can expect to see a variety of fine art on display, along with artists working on their pieces live, says Landrie, adding one of the highlights will be the works of Kalum Teke Dan, a feature artist whose murals are showcased in Calgary, Banff, and Jasper. Dan will also bring a range of merchandise, including hoodies, T-shirts, and blankets.
“[Dan] is one of Canada’s top five Indigenous artists. He is an amazing artist,” Landrie says.
The event will also feature performances by Derek Manik Edenshaw and Pat Calihou, who is also the co-founder of “Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass,” and will perform blues music at the event.
“Recently, I’ve been doing musical performances at big festivals, so I thought I would come and share with the museum,” Calihou says, adding he’s primarily taken part in such events as an artist showing his artwork.
“I’m known for carving wood in the community, but today I’m carving on my guitar.”
The main message Calihou wants to convey through his performance is “to believe in yourself and to unlimit yourself.”
Food truck Tradish, which sells bannock, and a ribbon skirt kit exhibit will also be featured at the event.
“Usually we stick to fine arts, but this time we have somebody selling ribbon skirt kits,” Landrie says.
Landrie hopes the event will give attendees a chance to explore many different styles of Indigenous art.
“It’s almost all contemporary art … and it isn’t necessarily all Indigenous-looking art, but it is Indigenous artists presenting their best work,” Landrie says.
Calihou, who is a Métis artist, says preserving his culture is very important to him and events like “Cedar, Sage and Sweetgrass” can make an impact in the community.
“It’s awesome because everyone comes out and meets the Indigenous artists and sees the art and how the art evolves, and all the different cultures that take part,” Calihou says.
“It’s not just traditional art. There’s a whole bunch of amazing stuff that people haven’t seen and won’t see if they don’t come to these kinds of things. When people show up, it’s awesome because it makes us feel special. People came to see your artwork, so everyone’s happy. Whether you sell anything or not, it’s nice to share your culture and art.”
For more information about the event, visit the City of Surrey’s website.
