A Constellation of Remediation was a two-year long public art project that exhibited from November 2018 to 2021 that included the planting of Indigenous remediation gardens on vacant and untended lots on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations.
The artists chose the constellation of sites based on the significant decolonization work near these locations through the work of the Native Education College (NEC), Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), and the Wild Salmon Caravan residency and Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty.
The artists’ ongoing conversations with developers, City and Parks staff, and the public were an integral part of the project, a process that built connection while also shifting consciousness and awareness about bioremediation, and land-stewardship.
UNYA Constellation Garden: Southwest corner of Hastings St & Commercial Dr
The artists developed a remediation garden at a former gas station lot and home of an Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) facility. Indigenous pollinator plants have been planted, creating a field of flowers that will continue to self-pollinate. In partnership with UNYA, the artists also held bioremediation workshops where they invited Indigenous youth to seed the soil and release butterflies on site.
Southwest corner of 5th Ave and Brunswick St
The artists removed invasive species at an over-looked triangular parklet owned by Aragon Properties Ltd a block away from Native Education College where they held workshops with students who made Indigenous wildflower seed bombs.
Strathcona Park fieldhouse, 857 Malkin Ave
Pollinator plants with a relationship to salmon were planted in collaboration with Dawn Morrison and the Wild Salmon Caravan residency and Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty.