The women of Nokee Kwe’s Positive Voice program are showcasing their creative work through the In Her Moccasins exhibition.
The exhibition features stories, photography, digital art, and beadwork.
Holly Pichette, Positive Voice program coordinator, says the main focus of the exhibit is to combat negative stereotypes surrounding Indigenous women.
Part of the In Her Moccasins exhibit featuring digital art and photography
“People have certain misconceptions about who Indigenous people are and what they’re expected to do. Through telling their stories through art, we hope to show positive narratives regarding Indigenous women,” she said.
The art exhibit marks the culmination of another Positive Voice session. The program is a seven-week workshop aimed at helping adult Indigenous women transition into education or employment.
However, Pichette says the program is more than a professional development or bridging program.
“Through our program, we want [participants] to dream bigger. We want them to consider doing things that they never thought they could do…We want to empower them to go on to complete whatever dream they have and to help them realize they are more than what they perceive themselves to be.”
Danielle Hill, past Positive Voice participant
Danielle Hill previously participated in the Positive Voice program. She says it was a life changing experience.
“When I first started, I thought I was just a mom and that was my goal in life –to be an amazing mom…Positive Voice gave me the ambition to remind myself that I’m more than just a mom. [It] gave me the confidence to go after jobs I never thought I could go after. And then, it turns out I was Amazing at those jobs,” she said.
Upon completing the seven-week program, Hill obtained her Ontario Secondary School Diploma and worked as an intern for Positive Voice. She hopes to enroll in college to get a teacher’s degree in the near future.
Clarissa Prosper, Positive Voice participant
For participant Clarissa Prosper, the program has taught her many valuable lessons.
“Before I started, I was in a really dark place. [Positive Voice] made me look back on my life and it made me cherish what I have, what I do, and what I’ve been through,” she said.
Prosper wants other women who may feel stuck in a rut to know that better days will come.
“There’s always going to be hurdles you’ll have to go through. There’s always going to be stuff in the way, but you will always get through it no matter what,” she added.
Positive Voice’s In Her Moccasins exhibition will be displayed on the third floor of the Central London Public Library until Feb. 28.
