Every Dot a Prayer for the Saskatchewan Rivers
Artifact
2022.001.001
2022
This painting features some of the species at risk within the river systems, prairie grassland and woodland ecosystems of Saskatchewan. Here, artist Christi Belcourt explains the significance of flora and fauna depicted in her work:
“The plants, birds, fish and other species depicted grow around Gabriel’s Crossing, along the South Saskatchewan River near Batoche. This is a special place for Métis Elder Maria Campbell, who lives nearby, and to many who have gathered there. Members of our lodge, myself included, fasted here and developed our own loving relationships to the land and river. The gatherings held at Gabriel’s Crossing have changed lives. Many dreams and spiritual connections were made. In the life of this mighty river, this is only one tiny spot along its great body, but a site deeply important to those who came to pray, fast and hold ceremony together.
History was not written about the thousands of years of song and ceremony held on the shores of this river but history was made here, many times over. The river is a life giver and she needs our help now.
The South Saskatchewan River is in crisis with more water being diverted for irrigation than it can handle. Combined with dams and climate change, summer flows have declined in some areas by as much as 85%. Alarmingly, the Government of Saskatchewan is planning a $4-billion irrigation project that will reduce the flows by a further 10%.
Saskatchewan’s river ecosystems are vital to several endangered or threatened species on Canada’s species at risk list, including the Lake Sturgeon, Burrowing Owl, Barn Swallows, Hairy Prairie Clover, White Lady Slipper, Northern Leopard Frog and native grasses, all of which are depicted in this painting alongside other species found in the area.
If you love these rivers as much as I do, speak up for them every chance you get. Stand in the way. Get loud. Water is life.”
— Christi Belcourt
This painting features some of the species at risk within the river systems, prairie grassland and woodland ecosystems of Saskatchewan. Here, artist Christi Belcourt explains the significance of flora and fauna depicted in her work:
“The plants, birds, fish and other species depicted grow around Gabriel’s Crossing, along the South Saskatchewan River near Batoche. This is a special place for Métis Elder Maria Campbell, who lives nearby, and to many who have gathered there. Members of our lodge, myself included, fasted here and developed our own loving relationships to the land and river. The gatherings held at Gabriel’s Crossing have changed lives. Many dreams and spiritual connections were made. In the life of this mighty river, this is only one tiny spot along its great body, but a site deeply important to those who came to pray, fast and hold ceremony together.
History was not written about the thousands of years of song and ceremony held on the shores of this river but history was made here, many times over. The river is a life giver and she needs our help now.
The South Saskatchewan River is in crisis with more water being diverted for irrigation than it can handle. Combined with dams and climate change, summer flows have declined in some areas by as much as 85%. Alarmingly, the Government of Saskatchewan is planning a $4-billion irrigation project that will reduce the flows by a further 10%.
Saskatchewan’s river ecosystems are vital to several endangered or threatened species on Canada’s species at risk list, including the Lake Sturgeon, Burrowing Owl, Barn Swallows, Hairy Prairie Clover, White Lady Slipper, Northern Leopard Frog and native grasses, all of which are depicted in this painting alongside other species found in the area.
If you love these rivers as much as I do, speak up for them every chance you get. Stand in the way. Get loud. Water is life.”
— Christi Belcourt
“The plants, birds, fish and other species depicted grow around Gabriel’s Crossing, along the South Saskatchewan River near Batoche. This is a special place for Métis Elder Maria Campbell, who lives nearby, and to many who have gathered there. Members of our lodge, myself included, fasted here and developed our own loving relationships to the land and river. The gatherings held at Gabriel’s Crossing have changed lives. Many dreams and spiritual connections were made. In the life of this mighty river, this is only one tiny spot along its great body, but a site deeply important to those who came to pray, fast and hold ceremony together.
History was not written about the thousands of years of song and ceremony held on the shores of this river but history was made here, many times over. The river is a life giver and she needs our help now.
The South Saskatchewan River is in crisis with more water being diverted for irrigation than it can handle. Combined with dams and climate change, summer flows have declined in some areas by as much as 85%. Alarmingly, the Government of Saskatchewan is planning a $4-billion irrigation project that will reduce the flows by a further 10%.
Saskatchewan’s river ecosystems are vital to several endangered or threatened species on Canada’s species at risk list, including the Lake Sturgeon, Burrowing Owl, Barn Swallows, Hairy Prairie Clover, White Lady Slipper, Northern Leopard Frog and native grasses, all of which are depicted in this painting alongside other species found in the area.
If you love these rivers as much as I do, speak up for them every chance you get. Stand in the way. Get loud. Water is life.”
— Christi Belcourt
This painting features some of the species at risk within the river systems, prairie grassland and woodland ecosystems of Saskatchewan. Here, artist Christi Belcourt explains the significance of flora and fauna depicted in her work:
“The plants, birds, fish and other species depicted grow around Gabriel’s Crossing, along the South Saskatchewan River near Batoche. This is a special place for Métis Elder Maria Campbell, who lives nearby, and to many who have gathered there. Members of our lodge, myself included, fasted here and developed our own loving relationships to the land and river. The gatherings held at Gabriel’s Crossing have changed lives. Many dreams and spiritual connections were made. In the life of this mighty river, this is only one tiny spot along its great body, but a site deeply important to those who came to pray, fast and hold ceremony together.
History was not written about the thousands of years of song and ceremony held on the shores of this river but history was made here, many times over. The river is a life giver and she needs our help now.
The South Saskatchewan River is in crisis with more water being diverted for irrigation than it can handle. Combined with dams and climate change, summer flows have declined in some areas by as much as 85%. Alarmingly, the Government of Saskatchewan is planning a $4-billion irrigation project that will reduce the flows by a further 10%.
Saskatchewan’s river ecosystems are vital to several endangered or threatened species on Canada’s species at risk list, including the Lake Sturgeon, Burrowing Owl, Barn Swallows, Hairy Prairie Clover, White Lady Slipper, Northern Leopard Frog and native grasses, all of which are depicted in this painting alongside other species found in the area.
If you love these rivers as much as I do, speak up for them every chance you get. Stand in the way. Get loud. Water is life.”
— Christi Belcourt
acrylic on canvas
Width: 332.5 cm;
Height: 157.5 cm;
Thickness: 4.5 cm;
Notes: stretcher only
Notes: stretcher only
PAINTING
Collection of the University of Saskatchewan. Commission, 2022.