Remai Modern June admission funds to be gifted to Saskatoon Survivors Circle
For immediate release — July 26, 2021
SASKATOON, CANADA — For the month of June, Remai Modern changed its admission structure to “by donation” in response to the discovery of unmarked and mass graves found at former residential schools across Canada. This was done to give more people access to the work of Indigenous artists currently showcased at the museum, including an installation by Adrian Stimson that directly deals with the residential school experience and Kohkominawak by Onion Lake Cree Nation artist Linda Young, herself a residential school survivor.
Thanks to the understanding and generosity of visitors, more than $11,000 was raised. In order to determine where to direct this gift, museum leadership approached community Elders, Knowledge Keepers and residential school survivors. Through this consultation, Remai Modern has decided to gift the funds to the Saskatoon Survivors Circle.
“A huge thank you to the general public who contributed through Remai Modern for their generous support of the Saskatoon Survivors Circle,” said Rick Daniels, residential school survivor and member of the local organization. “Rest assured this donation will go towards our group’s healing activities and public education programs. We are very grateful to Remai Modern’s Board, their CEOs and staff for this thoughtful gift and look forward to developing our relationship with them.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Saskatoon Survivors Circle to build deeper relationships with their members and their families,” said Aileen Burns and Johan Lundh, Remai Modern Co-Executive Director & CEOs. “We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our visitors in June, many of whom gave more than our regular admission price to support this initiative.”
This initiative is part of a much larger plan at Remai Modern to engage meaningfully with Indigenous communities in Treaty 6 and beyond, to action the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and to amplify Indigenous voices. The museum’s new strategic plan, which drew on the feedback of hundreds of stakeholders from many different communities, prioritizes foregrounding Indigenous perspectives and self-determination throughout the organization.
“We recognize that working towards truth and reconciliation is not a short-term goal and will unfold in ways, big and small, for generations,” said Doug Matheson, Chair of Remai Modern’s Board.
In the meantime, Remai Modern is pleased to offer programs and exhibitions where audiences can experience art, ideas and conversations that share Indigenous perspectives.
About the Saskatoon Survivors Circle
The members of the Saskatoon Survivors Circle survived Canada’s darkest era. They have been working together since 2015 to make off-reserve life as comfortable as possible for members and their families. Membership is open to any residential school survivor that lives in, or close proximity to, Saskatoon. The main objective of the group is to provide opportunities and activities that will enhance the quality of life for its members. The circle provides guidance and Indigenous perspective to many organizations, including offering important first-hand knowledge to the education system and sharing their knowledge of Indigenous ways of life.
About Remai Modern
Remai Modern is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to First Nations and Métis ancestors and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Remai Modern is a new museum of modern and contemporary art in Saskatoon.
Remai Modern would like to acknowledge the contributions of the Frank & Ellen Remai Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture through the Sask Lotteries Fund, SK Arts and the City of Saskatoon.
For additional information contact:
Stephanie McKay, Communications Manager
306.975.2242
smckay@remaimodern.org