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Welcome to the Real World... |
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Kitty Dubreuil's Exhibit Journal '95-'96 |
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Mid-November, 1995: We started to work on the Ainu project one day and the government shut down the next day! Welcome to the real world of Government! It really doesn't make any difference because we can work at home, and there is a lot of work to do. Our first task is to prepare a major project development workshop in December. As an Ainu, I am excited that I will be coordinator of what will be the biggest traveling Ainu exhibit the world has seen. I think an outstanding exhibition will have a lasting positive impact on all Ainu, but particularly on Ainu youth, as the world will see that the Ainu is not a dead race! |
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December 1-10, 1995, the workshop starts at the Smithsonian, then moves to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and to the American Museum of Natural History, and the Brooklyn Museum, both in New York City. Papers are given, Ainu collections examined, and discussions are virtually nonstop on such topics as the exhibit segment that deals with contemporary Ainu. The majority in attendance believe that the voices of today's Ainu must be a major portion of the exhibit. The second major topic was the amount of Ainu participation we should seek, again the majority felt that we must make every effort to meaningfully involve the Ainu at every major juncture as they are critical to the success of the exhibit. It's decided that we will go to Hokkaido, Japan as soon as possible. |
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February 3 - March 20, 1996, Ainu country, Hokkaido Japan. My husband, David, a Mohawk-Huron Indian, states that "it really doesn't make any difference which tribal people you visit, it's always like coming home." Over the next few weeks we will see more than 200 Ainu elders, traditional and contemporary artists, cultural leaders, business owners, and young people. Though cautious at first, the Ainu grew excited, and candid, as they realized we really did want their wisdom and suggestions. |
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Photo: Dave Dubreuil. |
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As a result, we have changed the title of the exhibition, and are rethinking several of our themes, especially Ainu spirituality, ethnicity, and our approach to contemporary Ainu. We will keep the Ainu informed of our progress and will ask for their comments. Today, in addition to the challenges the Ainu gave us, we are working on fundraising, as we must find significant funding soon. We will keep you posted. - Chisato (Kitty) Dubreuil, Ainu Exhibit Project Coordinator |
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Comments? Please contact us. |
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