BEMIDJI — Photos shot by Native American youths will be included as part of a permanent art installation inside Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
The installation will feature works from the Watermark Art Center’s 2022 summer photography camp and exhibit, “Bi-dibaajimowag -The Eagles Come Telling Stories.”
The grand reveal is 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, in the Medical Center Hallway art gallery near the east entrance across from the administrative offices. The public is welcome.
The collection showcases photography by four middle and high school youths who committed to a two-week photography camp under the mentorship of artist-in-residence Falcon Gott of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and three other area professional photographers.
The student artists include Precious Jourdain of Red Lake Nation, Waabinoo Littlewolf of White Earth Nation, Waasebiik Belgarde of Red Lake Nation and Malachi Norris of Red Lake Nation.
The photographers are Watermark exhibiting artist Ne-Dah-Ness Rose Greene, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; Institute of American Indian Arts student intern Ixel Janine, White Earth Nation; and Project Director Gizhiigin Arts Incubator Joe Allen of Sicangu Lakota Oyate and White Earth Nation.
Watermark Art Center partnered with Gizhiigin Arts Incubator to initiate the camp. Slideshows of the student work may be viewed at watermarkartcenter.org/bi-dibaajimowag-the-eagles-come-telling-stories.
The permanent installation at Sanford Health is an initiative from the Care of Our Native American Population Charter in working to create a welcoming and inclusive environment within Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, a news release stated.
“SHNM is committed to provide meaningful delivery of care and services to American Indian populations by providing culturally sensitive and relevant care,” according to the release.
Contact Sanford Health for more information regarding the reception and permanent installation, Erin.Echternach@SanfordHealth.org or 218-333-4903.