Andy Everson, Oppressor
Andy Everson
1972-
K’ómoks/Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw
Date
2018
Medium Specific
Giclee
Edition / State
58/200
Classification
Print
Dimensions
9 11/16 x 7 11/16 in. (24.6 x 19.5 cm)Sheet: 8 1/2 x 11 in. (21.6 x 27.9 cm)
Accession Number
2019.25.20.53
Memo / Artist Statement
What particularly irks me about the treaty process is that the Federal and Provincial governments have no qualms about invoking fear during negotiations. These oppressors come whirling in, evil in their eyes, and come up with things like: “You better hurry up and sign treaty or there won’t be any land left for settlement” It’s sad: our ancestors have been here since time immemorial, we haven’t yet extinguished title over our land and we live in the second largest country in the world. Yet, the governments have the gall to scare us into hurrying up with treaty.
We need to look the oppressors in the eyes and let them know that we can’t be frightened into signing treaty. We won’t jeopardize our children’s children's future by adhering to an imposed government timeline. When confronted by fear, we need to slice it in two with the strength of our ancestors.
We need to look the oppressors in the eyes and let them know that we can’t be frightened into signing treaty. We won’t jeopardize our children’s children's future by adhering to an imposed government timeline. When confronted by fear, we need to slice it in two with the strength of our ancestors.
Biography
Andy Everson was born in Comox, BC in 1972 and named Na̱gedzi after his grandfather, the late Chief Andy Frank of the K’ómoks First Nation. Andy has also had the honour of being seated with the ‘Na̱mg̱is T̓sit̓sa̱ł'walag̱a̱me' name of Ḵ̓wa̱mxa̱laga̱lis I'nis. Influenced heavily by his grandmother, he has always been driven to uphold the traditions of both the K’ómoks and Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw First Nations. In this regard, Andy has pursued avenues where he can sing traditional songs and perform ceremonial dances at potlatches and in a number of different dance groups, most notably the Le-La-La Dancers, the Gwa'wina Dancers and the K’umugwe Dancers.
Pursuing other areas of traditional culture has also led Andy to complete a Master’s degree in anthropology. Because the K’ómoks First Nation lies on the border between the larger Salish and Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw realms, his thesis focused on notions and expressions of contemporary Comox identity. His work in anthropology provided him with a background in linguistics which subsequently inspired him to create a company, Copper Canoe, Inc, that specialized in the creation of Aboriginal language media.
Andy feels that his artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although he began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, Andy's first serious attempt wasn’t until 1990 when he started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons, he has tried to follow in the footsteps of his Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The ability to create and print most of his own work has allowed Andy to explore and express his ancestral artwork in a number of contemporary ways.
http://www.andyeverson.com
Pursuing other areas of traditional culture has also led Andy to complete a Master’s degree in anthropology. Because the K’ómoks First Nation lies on the border between the larger Salish and Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw realms, his thesis focused on notions and expressions of contemporary Comox identity. His work in anthropology provided him with a background in linguistics which subsequently inspired him to create a company, Copper Canoe, Inc, that specialized in the creation of Aboriginal language media.
Andy feels that his artwork stands on par with these other accomplishments. Although he began drawing Northwest Coast art at an early age, Andy's first serious attempt wasn’t until 1990 when he started designing and painting chilkat-style blankets for use in potlatch dancing. From these early self-taught lessons, he has tried to follow in the footsteps of his Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw relatives in creating bold and unique representations that remain rooted in the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The ability to create and print most of his own work has allowed Andy to explore and express his ancestral artwork in a number of contemporary ways.
http://www.andyeverson.com
Date of Bio