MINNEAPOLIS (July 14th, 2022)
The Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) and All My Relations Arts are pleased to present Noojimo (She Heals), a juried exhibition exploring the importance of Aunties in Indigenous spaces, curated by Hillary Kempenich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa).
In many Indigenous communities, the Auntie serves as an extra parental role – one who provides mental, physical, and spiritual support to younger relatives. Though faced with discrimination and patriarchy, women continue to be protectors of family, culture, and Aki (earth), taking on roles as caretakers, leaders, cultivators, mentors, mediators, and innovators.
Kempenich, alongside curator coach, Heid E. Erdrich invited artists, via juried call, to center their work around the empowerment of Indigenous Aunties – how we were raised by them; how we honor their legacy; how we are them; how we make space for those who need us as Aunties; and how we respect one another though our personalities or lifestyles differ.
Noojimo will be a powerful tribute to courageous women stepping into the role of Aunties; who influence, create, and strengthen bonds of obligation, trust, and solidarity both inside the home and community.
“The jurying process truly has been humbling, to have a multitude of artists take interest in Noojimo: She Heals,” said guest curator, Hillary Kempenich. Every artist brings their own unique stories amongst the multigenerational roster. These artists have entrusted me to assist in amplifying their perspectives; they have created beautiful and harmonic intimate conversations of how the role of Indigenous Aunts play in our lives and within society — both historically and in modern times — creating paths for future generations.
Featured Artists: Sharon Day, Somah Haaland, Tara Keanuenue, Eve-Lauryn LaFountain, Tanaya Winder, Agnes Woodward and Nedahness Rose Greene
Juried Artists: Racquel Banaszak, Deanna L Croaker, Dyana Decoteau-Dyess, Rita Erdrich, Cynthia Hamilton, Penny Kagigebi, Rick Kagigebi, Rayshele Kamke, Teresa McDowell, Loriene Pearson, Valaria Tatera, Nelson White and Melissa Widner
Hillary Kempenich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) is a multi-disciplinary, award winning artist, cultural bearer, and advocate, emphasizing her work to empower Indigenous people. Hillary has immersed herself into sustaining her small business and continues her passion for community work. Raised on the Turtle Mountain reservation, Kempenich continues to advocate for better educational, health and cultural standards through her work in both urban and rural communities.
Hillary Kempenich is fluent in many mediums with a collaborative style influenced by her independent spirit as a creative woman and her deep connection to her heritage of Ojibwe, Cree, Assiniboine, Dakota, and French-Canadian ancestral roots. Memories, traditions, and stories are continually incorporated into Kempenich’s work to empower and honor Indigenous women, youth, and fellow LGBTQIA+ Two-Spirit peoples. Kempenich comes from a family of strong artist abilities, of which are strong influences within her work. While holding on to the ties to the Turtle Mountains, Kempenich works on developing her trades with her own personal style.
Hillary has a growing list of group and solo shows, collaborations, as well as receiving recognition nationwide. The beginning of Kempenich's career was marked by awards from the National Indian Child Welfare Association, Native Arts Gathering and the First Peoples Fund. Hillary Kempenich received a second-place ribbon in the prestigious SWAIA’s Indian Market in 2018. Hillary’s artwork has recently been published in the “Finish the Fight!” a book written by New York Times author Veronica Chambers. “Finish the Fight!” are chronicles of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color suffragists, whose stories may have gone untold. Hillary’s work continues to be featured in private collections, museums, and galleries throughout the United States. The U.S. Department of Interior Museum and Secretary of Art has acquired the piece "Resilience: A Portrait of Zitkala-Sa," in Washington, D.C. to be part of their permanent collection and catalog.
Hillary holds a bachelor’s degree from University of North Dakota. She serves on the Grand Forks Foundation for Education Alumni Network board of directors and the North Dakota Indian Business Alliance board of directors. Hillary also serves as an arts and cultural consultant and has started the wearable art line Zazegaa Designs by Hillary Kempenich. Hillary lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota with her family.
All My Relations Arts (AMRA) operates the All My Relations Gallery, Minnesota’s premier American Indian owned and operated contemporary fine arts gallery. Located on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis, the gallery resides within the heart of the American Indian Cultural Corridor. AMRA presents four fine art exhibits throughout the year, as well as hosting tours, presentations, and programs.
The focus of AMRA is to provide the people of the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota, and beyond consistently high-quality exposure to Native American fine arts. As an initiative of the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI), All My Relations Arts serves a very distinct role in NACDI’s community development work, providing the public with education about American Indian history, culture, and contemporary experiences through the arts. Learn more about All My Relations Arts at allmyrelationsarts.com
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) is a non-profit social and mental health services organization committed to traditional ways of being and support of Native women and their families.
Founded in 1984, MIWRC provides a broad range of programs designed to educate and empower Native women and their families, and to inform and assist those who work providing services to the community.
MIWRC is located in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, which has the third largest urban American Indian population in the United States.
Programs are developed to reflect the needs of our families, and are tailored to address issues that significantly affect their well being; such as family services, affordable housing, chemical dependency, mental health care, cultural resilience and healing, and other family and community issues. Learn more at https://www.miwrc.org.
PROGRAMMING DATES
On View: July 19 – Sept. 17, 2022
Opening Reception: July 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
Curator’s Talk with Hillary Kempenich: August 11, 6:30 p.m.
Closing Reception and Artists Panel: TBD
*Additional programming/workshops will be supported by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. TBD
Photo Credit: Nedahness Rose Greene