A year after TRC calls to action, new artwork reaffirms Robson Hall’s commitment to truth and reconciliation
A new triptych by Dakota/Ojibwa artist Linus Woods will remind members of the Robson Hall community where they stand.
The set of three large paintings depicting traditional indigenous scenes—unveiled on June 2, the first anniversary of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s Calls to Action—hangs in the Robson Hall Moot Courtroom.
Throughout the year the room plays host to orientations, classes, seminars, symposiums, guest lectures, and more. The moot courtroom has even served as a real courtroom, hosting the Manitoba Court of Appeal for a number of sittings.
“The new artwork reminds us where we work, study, teach and learn—on Treaty One territory,” said Faculty of Law Dean Lorna Turnbull. “With Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 28 calling on Canadian law schools to further integrate learning of indigenous rights and traditions into their curriculum—and also into their daily operations—it’s important we consistently and strongly remind our students, staff, faculty and guests of our shared history and commitment to truth and reconciliation.”
The new artwork replaces The Thread of Truth by Willene Moffat-Cox. The triptych joins Robson Hall’s substantial art collection, which includes works by prominent indigenous artists Eddy Cobiness, Kingmeata Etidlooie and Eleeshushe Parr.
The artwork’s addition follows on the heels of Robson Hall’s other responses to the TRC’s calls to action, some of which include enlisting TRC Chair and Senator Murray Sinclair as Distinguished Jurist in Residence and reviewing curriculum to incorporate proposals on academic innovation (including one proposing knowledge of Indigenous Legal Traditions be a mandatory competency of the Juris Doctor program).
