Summary
[Gabriel Yahyahkeekoot] tells a story in his films about growing up in the inner city, so the theme of Moccasin Flats fit in well with his focus. "It's given me a platform to expose some realities. People that have never lived in this situation have no idea what it's like and I hope I'm bringing some awareness to the poverty and hopelessness that can exist," he said. "People can't always get out of the cycle that has them living there."
Wendy Winter is gallery educator for school and youth programs at Regina's MacKenzie Art Gallery. "Gabriel is a professional in all his work in the arts, an engaging poet, an inspirational artist and an outstanding filmmaker," she said. She is pleased the gallery has Yahyahkeekoot's first film as part of its permanent collection. The film, entitled Moment of Clarity, debuted in the spring of 2003 at the Independent Film and Alliance National Conference. "We first met him through a collaboration with Neil McLeod, another Saskatchewan Cree artist who often illustrates the radically changed world of the First Nations on the prairies in the 1870s and 1880s when colonization and settlement began," Winter said. "The two created a wonderful mural and this union led us to begin working with Gabriel."See the full content of this document
Extract
Artist Uses Work to Expose Aboriginal Issues
REGINA
Gabriel Yahyahkeekoot is only 27 but already he is an accomplished filmmaker, poet and artist. The work of the Regina-based artist is influenced by the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation near Prince Albert where he grew up and which he still call...See the full content of this document
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