Aux confluents de l’Akiawenhrahk
From Yahndawa’ to the Alliance
How to continue the relationship
It was the positive experience of the exchanges that took place in Yahndawa’ that made us say: this cannot end here; we must find a way to continue what has been started. We wanted to continue cultivating relationships with a view to improving coexistence between our respective communities.
But this process is a long road, requiring a lot of work and a lot of time. To do this, funding must be found. Because, yes, we must always ask ourselves how we will finance everything, how we will ensure that everyone's energy is recognized and supported. When we saw the details of the Canada Council for the Arts' Strategic Innovation Fund, we saw an opportunity to set up a project that would allow us to continue our relationships. The main objective, however, was to finance the creation of a Wendat artists' center, long dreamed of by artists in Wendake and essential to a reciprocal relationship. In February 2023, Ahkwayaonhkeh was established.
This is how the alliance project, initially called At the confluence of the Akiawenrahk, came about. Or rather, this is how the relationships that emerged from Yahndawa’ grew and developed into a new form: that of collaboration between two organizations, on an equal footing. In this new form, our goal is to develop more inclusive collaborations and practices for artists and organizations. From an organizational standpoint, this is an opportunity to exchange ideas, question ourselves, and rethink the existing structural models in our artistic community.
With this in mind, Ahkwayaonhkeh has taken over one of VU's galleries for the years 2023–2026, offering its first program of events. Training and awareness workshops have also been offered to members of both artistic communities.