Curated by Celina Jeffery and Ryan Stec/Artengine, Ottawa Art Gallery
This installation focuses on 'akikodiwan' (aka Chaudiere Falls) and the plight of the freshwater eels,
whose population has declined by estimates of 98% due to human encroachment and other environmental
distresses.
In an effort to collaborate with the eels who have inhabited kitche zibi (aka the Ottawa river) since
time immemorial, the I worked with an interspecies communicator to solicit the willingness of
the eels to express how they would like to be depicted and what they wanted humans to remember about
how their livelihood is directly in relation to our wellbeing.
The title is both in nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) and anishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language)
and 'nipawiwin... ohci' refers to the solidarity of 'standing with/for' the eels at the place called
'akikodjiwan' (that is translated as 'pipebowl'). Pimizi (pimisi, mizay, misay) is the anishinaabemowin
term for freshwater eel.
credits
project conception/direction, site audio recording and eel research: Cheryl L'Hirondelle
Photography: Cheryl L'Hirondelle
Videography: Howard Adler
Video Editing: Samay Arcentales and Rob Lawther
Sound Design: Nick Schofield
Unity programming: Conan Bourke and Rob Lawther
Interspecies Communication: GC Simmons