Kanien'kehá:ka art and culture front and centre at Kahnawake exhibition

Jessica Hernandez completed the last stitches on an intricately beaded purse earlier this week, just in time for it to be one of the many beaded items on display at a community art exhibition.

The annual two-day exhibition in Kahnawake, south of Montreal, is organized by Kanien'kehá:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center to showcase contemporary and traditional artwork.

Inspired by the shape of a popular Chanel handbag, the purse made by Hernandez features Haudenosaunee-style raised beaded hummingbirds and flowers.

"I think it's amazing that they're doing something that highlights all the creativity in this community. The amount of people who are talented is boundless," she said about the exhibition.

"I love that there's so many different mediums."

Several other beaded pieces in the exhibition were design challenges that Hernandez made earlier in the pandemic for beaders to work on.

"It's beautiful to see them all here, and it makes me happy that people found that outlet during COVID," said Hernandez.

'A place to look'

The art show, in its second year, is called Iontkahthóhtha' which means "a place to look" in Kanien'kéha, or the Mohawk language. This year the show features paintings, photography, sculpture, woodwork, and a variety of beadwork from more than three dozen artists. 

"The majority of artists are from Kahnawake but hopefully in the coming years, there's more of a mix," said Scott Berwick, photo archivist at the cultural centre.

Berwick said Iontkahthóhtha' is one of the many events and projects the cultural centre is working on with other Kanien'kehá:ka communities to promote local artists, culture, and skateboarding. 

Earlier this year, it produced skateboard decks with artwork from several of the communities. 

"What I'm trying to do is have artists who are more established or more experienced show with artists who are just starting to create a sense of community within the art scene in Kahnawake and other Indigenous communities," said Berwick.

"It's trying to make that network a little bit stronger with artists supporting each other no matter where they are in their careers."

For Kaysun Oke, the event is an opportunity for artists.

"Instead of having it at home, you get to show everybody what you've been up to and see what other artists are doing. Coming from a small community, it's really nice," said Oke, who is from Kanesatake, northwest of Montreal,

The show runs until Oct. 15 at 9 p.m. at the Kateri Hall in Kahnawake.