Tamara Lee-Anne Cardinal, Mekinawewin: to give a gift, Remediation Room Edition, 2021.

Rooted in a circular process of remediation, this multi-day papermaking workshop was an invitation to guests on Treaty 7 territory to enter into a relationship that recognizes the role of reciprocity and transformation in processes of repair, healing, and restoration.

The workshop unfolded over three days with online and in-person participation. Participants in Otôskwanihk/Mohkinstsis (Calgary) were invited to choose personally relevant materials that they would like to remediate by transforming them into handmade paper. Materials could be paper or plant-based. Paper documents related to health, family heritage, culture, education, work, and/or political spheres. As the global pandemic continues to take lives and widen income and wealth inequalities, they were also invited to bring records, reflections, stories, or documents related to the last year and a half related to COVID-19.

Throughout several iterations of this project, Cardinal’s focus has been on hosting multiple workshops with various community organizations, families, and individuals. Conversations revolve around Indigenous histories and ways of knowing. In keeping with Nêhiyaw tradition, the artist requested the first paper sheet that an individual pulled, to stay with the project.

Scroll down to view images of Day Two: Storying & Papermaking.

On Day Two, guided by Tamara along with Elder Linda Brass and Elder Darryl Brass Jr. from the Midewiwin Teaching Lodge Society, participants shared as much or as little as they wanted to about the materials they contributed to be remediated and what this process meant to them. People spoke of loss, grief, times of transition, struggle, challenges, gratitude, and more.

During the workshop, participants learned to pull sheets of paper using their pulped materials and experimented with various material combinations. Each participant had their own work area with a mold and deckle, sponge, water vat, felt, and additional cotton pulp and materials. One participant who couldn’t be with the group in person participated virtually with a paper-making kit Tamara had prepared for them in advance.

After each participant pulled their paper sheets, they were pressed in a hand-cranked paper-press. After two days, the paper was dry and ready to be returned to each participant. The participants reconvened at St. Patrick’s Park for the final day of the workshop. Images: Alana Bartol.