The Art of Making: Video and Excerpts
A video about the Cummings School of Medicine mural at the University of Calgary
Mural artists are Sikomh Kokomii Jared Tailfeathers, along with, Kamâmak, Suwatâga-Mu, and bb iskwew.
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Images from the Book
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Links
Jared Tailfeathers, The Storytelling Podcast
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An Excerpt from The Art of Making
From the Introduction: Imitáá ohtáóhsokoyi a’póóhsin
Dog Journey Leaves a Trail
By Jared Tailfeathers
The Middle of the Cultural Bridge
To create and design something new from something old, I needed to form my perspective as an observer situated in the middle of a cultural bridge. I wanted to understand the logic of the system in which these methods were developed and adapted, and consider the trade routes, materials, and resources of the Blackfoot Confederacy before the 1800s and in the post-1800 world. This context is crucial to understanding the roots of our current 2000s society and what shaped treaties and the country. Research, consultation, and a hands-on approach with materials were essential for this project. It was important to consider the reasons for living in this specific territory, the landmarks, the plants and animals, the sciences, tools, and arts of the Blackfoot people.
I aim for this to be a record of truth, though I can only share what I know and have researched. I speak only for myself and the evidence I have gathered, starting with the land. I do not speak on behalf of the Blackfoot Confederacy or any society; I have some transfers but am not part of any society.
I am young in my learning but eager to discover more. This journey has been lifelong, with many ups and downs. I learn best by seeing, touching, feeling, and hearing the world around me, engaging with useful skills and techniques that lead to aesthetic expression. I have always appreciated the arts and culture from my heritage, the landmarks, and being with the land, valuing the hands-on skills and meticulous process. The research in this “volume one” book is from 2019-2020, with more recent research discoveries planned for upcoming volumes.
Dot, the “Dog” in the Dog Trail name, joined up at the start of this journey. She only knows travelling and posing for pictures. Dottie appears in about three-quarters of the photo documentation I took and was present at probably 98 percent of the locations. Though I tried to keep Dot out of most final shots, she has been a good companion and guide in this adventure. She is curious, so you’ll see her speculating in some of the final shots.
—Sikohmh’Kokomii (Calling Crane),
Jared Darcy Tailfeathers, 2024