Rooted in the Haudenosaunee Creation Story -
Where we learn that Water is the first element of Earth
The Ohné:ka Healing Project emphasizes the sacred relationship between humans and Water. By combining ancestral knowledge with contemporary environmental education, the project encourages youth to think critically, act mindfully, and advocate for the protection of the natural world.
The Indigenous Arts Collective (IAC) is excited to announce the launch of its latest initiative: The Ohné:ka Healing Project.
Developed in collaboration with Haudenosaunee educators, artists, and environmental knowledge holders, this project brings forward activities designed to (re)connect youth and communities with traditional teachings and the sacred responsibility to Water.
- Water Testing and Education
- Paddle Boarding
- Educational Curriculum and In-Person Presentations to Educators
- Event and Workshops
- Paddle Board Community Art Murals
- Paddle Board Murals by Haudenosaunee Artists
The Indigenous Arts Collective is grateful to be running activities and learning opportunities and invites the community to join us at the Indigenous People's Day Event at Confederation Park in Kingston (June 21st, 2025), featuring an interactive community art workshop, educational resources, giveaways and more!
"We are honoured to share this project with our communities," said a spokesperson from the IAC. "With the wisdom of educators like Abraham Francis and Dr. Sarah Konwahahawi Rourke, we are weaving together traditional knowledge, environmental science, and art to inspire the next generation to act as stewards of our precious Waters."
Writing our messages to the Water. IAC member artists Melissa Brant, Jaylene Cardinal, Victoria Ransom, and Faith Wilson are helping with our mission to personify the Water and teach the next generation about Water love and protection through art! With these artists we will be creating art murals on stand up paddle boards and working with Indigenous youth and community members from Tyendinaga, Kingston and Akwesasne.
Art Workshops
We look forward to our big art and film events in both Tyendinaga (August 2&3) and Akwesasne Mohawk Territories (TBA) and are grateful to Millside Ceramics (Marleen Murphy, Tyendinaga) for starting us off! More information about upcoming summer workshops soon!
Download our Educator's Resource Guide created by Abraham Francis and Dr. Sarah Konwahahawi Rourke, designed to reconnect youth and communities with traditional teachings and the sacred responsibility to Water. Schedule your private presentation with your staff for free! Email board@indigenousartscollective.org
Join us at Confederation Park in Kingston on June 21st (Indigenous Peoples Day) and Akwesasne Juried Art Show on July 26th (info click here) to participate in a community paddle board painting, learn about the Water, and access your Ohné:ka Healing Project Curriculum. With special dedication mural to Sierra Johnson-Sunday Caldwell.
Sierra Johnson-Sunday Caldwell
Ohné:ka Healing Project was inspired many years ago with a message from Sierra Johnson-Sunday Caldwell. In that connection, something deeper was set in motion. It was a meeting of paths and an awakening – bringing to light the interconnectedness of everything in creation. It was understanding that relationships are not accidental but are masterful webs of intention, memory and ancestral guidance. It was a call that illuminated Ohné:ka’s suffering and how her health reflected on all the people now and for the coming generations. When water is ill, all life surrounding her becomes ill and the reality is that even though she is terminal, she will outlive us.
Sierra was a messenger and is now our ancestor. We are grateful for her sacrifices and lessons so that we can carry the momentum forward, rise up and elevate our contributions to a higher vibration of action and healing.
A commemorative paddle board mural will be painted by Victoria Ransom and presented to the community at the Akwesasne Art Market and Juried Show on July 26, 2025.
Ohné:ka Healing Project is dedicated to Sierra Johnson-Sunday Caldwell, Akwesasronon, September 22, 1988 - June 13, 2025.
Call To Action
Strategic placement of factories (General Motors and Reynolds Metals/Alcoa) and systemic poisoning of the river, aquatic environment and land makes our community the target of environmental genocide. In 1981, dormant sludge pits containing PCBs were found behind the GM plant and by 1984 it was designated a U.S. Superfund site (a contaminated location identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as requiring long-term cleanup of hazardous waste). Two massive aluminum smelters (Alcoa, formerly Reynolds Metals) began discharging PCBs, fluoride and volatile organic compounds in the late 1950’s and the legacy of contamination remains today as cleanup continues at an alarmingly slow rate and with selective effort.
We are elevated to a state of emergency and have been for 75 years.
This project is funded by:
and we are proud to collaborate with:
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