Artist Development Series // Art & Accountability on sʔuknaqinx / syilx / Okanagan Territory
The Art & Accountability on sʔuknaqinx / syilx / Okanagan Territory session is a foundational learning experience designed for settler and non-Indigenous artists, hosted in direct partnership with the Sncewips Heritage Museum. This session moves toward meaningful action by grounding creative practices in respect, truth, and the historical context of the unceded, ancestral territory of the sʔuknaqinx/syilx people. Led by expert museum staff, participants will take part in a curated tour focused on the living history, sovereignty, and enduring presence of the sʔuknaqinx/syilx peoples.
Following the tour, the session facilitates an in-depth discussion on ethical creative practices, helping artists distinguish between cultural appreciation and appropriation to avoid the extraction of Indigenous narratives. Central to this work is an exploration of positionality, providing creators with the tools to identify their roles as guests on the land and reflect this authentically in their artist statements and professional practices. By moving beyond symbolic gestures, the program empowers creators to transform their work into an act of reciprocity and have genuine engagement within a sʔuknaqinx/syilx/Okanagan space such as the museum.
This workshop is free to attend. However, for those with the capacity to do so, we invite you to participate in our Pay It Forward program.
PAY IT FORWARD
We believe in building a creative community where everyone belongs. This event is open to all.
For those in a position to give, we invite you to pay it forward. Your generosity keeps our doors open to everyone, creates access for all, and sustains the programs that enrich our collective cultural life. We gratefully accept contributions by cash or online here. Unable to contribute? You are always welcome here.
ABOUT SNCEWIPS HERITAGE MUSEUM
The Sncewips Heritage Museum vision is to create awareness and provide access to their living history by acknowledging their language, captikʷɬ, and connection to the traditional territory as the foundation of who they are as sqilxw. Sncewips is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting art and artefact collections while providing educational experiences that reflect the heritage and natural history of the sʔuknaqinx/syilx/Okanagan people.
The Sncewips Heritage Museum believes in the power of their own voice to inspire, educate, and transform. They aspire to benefit the community by maintaining a safe space for language, culture, and acknowledgement through open and respectful dialogue. Sncewips makes their resources and collections accessible to local, regional, national, and international patrons through consultation and collaboration with individuals and organizations.
ABOUT THE 2026 ARTIST DEVELOPMENT SERIES
This session is part of the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art’s 2026 Artist Development Series. This curated program, generously funded by the Central Okanagan Foundation, is designed to help emerging and mid-career artists build sustainable careers by providing access to experienced local professionals who understand our regional creative landscape.
Through these sessions, we aim to move beyond simple skill-building to help you build collaborative networks and gain the actionable tools needed to navigate your creative career with confidence.