BU project explores Indigenous identity through student-created media

A groundbreaking research project from Brandon University (BU) opened last month as an important conversation on Indigenous identity through the power of visual storytelling. This is Us: Indigenous Identity Beyond Blood is a collaborative photovoice project led by BU CARES and the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre (IPC), showcasing the perspectives of Indigenous students through photography and film. The exhibition is on display in the Community Gallery at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (AGSM) until May 3, 2025.

Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), BU CARES, and IPC, this project invited Indigenous students to reflect on and represent their identities beyond institutional definitions. Their visual narratives challenge traditional notions of Indigenous identity, moving beyond colonial frameworks of blood quantum and government regulation.

“Identity is deeply personal yet profoundly influenced by history, community, and lived experience,” said Dr. Michelle Lam, Canada Research Chair in Rural Community-Based Education for Reconciliation. “For many Indigenous students, reclaiming identity is an ongoing journey. This project provides a platform for them to tell their own stories in their own voices.”

The exhibition highlights how Indigenous identity is shaped by land, community, and spirit, emphasizing that it is more than just a checkbox on an application form. By sharing their lived experiences through visual media, students engage in a broader dialogue on recognition, belonging, and self-determination.

“This project is an opportunity for Indigenous students to express who they are on their own terms,” said Julia Stoneman-Sinclair, Director of the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre. “Their voices and experiences are central to understanding the diversity and strength of Indigenous identity. We are incredibly proud to support them in this journey.”

The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, which hosts this exhibition, has received support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, the City of Brandon, and the Kayes Family Fund.

“This exhibition is a celebration of Indigenous excellence at Brandon University,” said Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies. “It amplifies Indigenous student voices and acknowledges the complexities of identity in the face of historical and contemporary challenges.”

The public is invited to visit This is Us: Indigenous Identity Beyond Blood at AGSM to engage with the thought-provoking imagery and films. More information about the exhibition can be found at AGSM’s website.

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