(Un)Mapping the Territory: An Indigenous Artist/Research Residency
Hart House and the Art Museum at the University of Toronto are honoured to announce Akni:ho’gwa:s Artist Collective as the 2024–25 Indigenous Artists in Residence for (Un)Mapping the Territory: An Indigenous Artist/Research Residency.
This year-long residency reimagines the University of Toronto’s histories, land, and community through an Indigenous lens, marking a pivotal step in deepening our commitment to reconciliation and meaningful engagement with Indigenous ways of knowing.
Reclaiming and Reimagining Mapping
The (Un)Mapping the Territory residency was created in response to the colonial histories of the University of Toronto, as represented by A. Scott Carter’s 1937 painted map of the campus, commissioned by Vincent Massey. This map, which was housed for many years in the Hart House Map Room, became a catalyst for critical discussions about exclusion and erasure.
In collaboration with Toronto-based Indigenous artists and arts professionals, Hart House and the Art Museum at the University of Toronto envisioned this residency as an opportunity to rethink mapping as a dynamic and relational practice, grounded in relationship-building and reconnection.
This residency, guided in development by the leadership of local Indigenous artists, scholars, and curators and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, invites reflection, dialogue, and creative exploration. It aims to deepen understanding of place and the interconnected histories of our communities while shaping pathways for redress and renewal.
The (Un)Mapping the Territory residency represents more than an art and research initiative—it’s a powerful invitation to rethink our shared histories and imagine new ways of being in relationship with the land and each other.
About Akni:ho’gwa:s Artist Collective
The Akni:ho’gwa:s Artist Collective comprises shared works between Haudenosaunee citizens Courtney Skye and Jeff Doctor. Their shared practice encompasses policymaking, research, and activism, actively focusing on data sovereignty, land tenure, governance, and relationship building across Haudenosaunee Territory.
Their past collaborative work has included multiple curated exhibitions, multiple forms of interventions on mapping, and developing programming that emphasizes critical historical research. They explore digital, archival, artistic, academic and political spaces to advance the rights and sovereignty of the Haudenosaunee.
Jeff and Courtney emphasize community accountability in all their activities and draw from within their community to centre Haudenosaunee artists, traditional knowledge keepers, leaders, language speakers and academics. Their practice actively seeks to enact Haudenosaunee ethics held within our shared histories, ceremonies, laws, and governance.
Jeff Doctor, Impact Strategist
Jeff hayá:sǫh Doctor dę̱hęsęna’se:’ | Jeff Doctor |
Gayǫgǫ̱hǫ̀:nǫ’ ni̱hǫhwęjǫ’dę’ | Cayuga Nation Citizen |
haǫha/haǫhę | He/him |
Tganada̱he:’ thohdę:gyo: | From Brantford |
Shagodiyęnà:wa’s ǫgwehǫ:weh degaihǫ:węhs oihw’ageh hahę:dǫ’s ne’ hni’ hahsrǫ:nihs oihwado:gę: a:ha’dagenha’. |
Impact Strategist supporting Indigenous data sovereignty through advocacy and custom software development. |
Jeff Doctor is Cayuga from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. As an Impact Strategist with Animikii, Jeff works with Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island to develop web applications that support their self-determination and digital sovereignty. Jeff also volunteers with Protect the Tract, a grassroots project that promotes healthy land stewardship of the Haudenosaunee territory known as the Haldimand Tract.
With an MA in sociology and a decade of experience supporting and promoting Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Jeff’s focus is improving data governance through collaborative and effective social justice approaches including advocacy, counter-mapping, and custom software development.
Courtney Skye, Co-Director of Protect the Tract
Courtney eya:sǫh Skye ne: deyęsęnaʼse:ʼ. | Courtney Skye |
Ganyáhdę: niyagʼesyaódę: | Mohawk Nation Citizen |
Ganyáhdę: niyagʼesyaódę: | Turtle Clan |
Gaǫha/gaǫh | she/her |
Gayogo̱ho:noʼ ǫdéwayę́:staʼ. Grihoʼgwa:s niyagoihoʼdęhsroʼdę: |
Cayuga immersion student |
Courtney Skye is a Mohawk Nation citizen, Turtle Clan, From Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She is Co-Director of Protect the Tract, a Haudenosaunee-led public education campaign promoting a moratorium on development along the Haldimand Tract.
Courtney has worked in public policy for twelve years, working on regional, provincial, national, and international strategic policy to advance the human rights and well-being of Indigenous women, youth, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Her work focuses on the promotion of the political mobilisation of Indigenous women, Trans, non-Binary and Two-Spirit people to create transformational change in communities.
Courtney creatively blends policy, engagement, arts to reimagine traditional approaches to policy development in order to meet the diverse needs of Indigenous communities. Courtney is passionate about making sure communities are heard in policy development, and strives to end all forms of colonial violence experienced by Indigenous peoples by entrenching deep commitment to rights and jurisdiction.
What to Expect: A Transformative Year Ahead
The Akni:ho’gwa:s Artist Collective will lead an inspiring year of exploration and engagement, centering on themes of land, history and relationships. Their residency will evolve through a series of interconnected phases, aligning with the rhythms of the academic calendar:
- Research and Collaboration: The early months will focus on building relationships and fostering dialogue through gatherings, discussions, and explorations of Haudenosaunee traditions and perspectives.
- Creation and Sharing: The residency will culminate in a series of impactful events and projects—ranging from workshops to exhibitions—that invite the community to reflect on and participate in reimagining narratives of land and belonging.
Together with the Akni:ho’gwa:s Artist Collective, we are proud to embark on this journey of reconciliation, creativity and connection.
The University of Toronto community will have opportunities to engage through workshops, public talks and collaborative projects that reflect the themes of the residency. Stay tuned for upcoming events and join us in transforming the stories that shape us.