The Tłı̨chǫ Arts &Training Workshop was held at the Charlie Charlo Building on February 16th to 18th, 2016.   Which included a day on the land to reconnecting our spirit through to the land and environment around us.

The workshop is based on spiritual connection through art. This also included traditional art of storytelling, with modern art like digital illustration, and special effects.

The artistic purpose of this project explores creative arts through individual guidance, and support. Teaching Tłı̨chǫ artists to translate their artistic skills and knowledge based on the Tłı̨chǫ Language, Culture and Way Of Life.

The Tłı̨chǫ Government under the Culture Management section has been working with the University Of Alberta Student, Adolfo Ruiz, an animation designer to develop a traditional and modern forms of image-making based on stories and legends.                                                                                                                     

1. Project Introduction: It is important at this stage that everyone involved in the project learn significance of working with a story for which compound interpretations exist.  Being exposed to several versions of the artwork is essential to understand the nature of oral tradition as a fundamental component of this project. Historical information, details, and plot is require to identify a vision and its artistic view of a picture.
2. Introduction to art methods and materials: Participants will use workbook and art supply to explore a new method of basic drawing, and visualization through the use of a sketchbook that will be provided at the workshop.
3. Visualizing landscapes and environments: This part involved discussions and exercises involved nature and landscapes. Exercise included a digital photography of the surround environment, collage and drawing exercises building on knowledge acquired in day 2.
4. Visual Exploration: Visual exploration and building skills acquired in earlier exercises of the workshop.  Artist will use drawings, collage, and basic digital illustration to explore the characters in the story. 
5. Spirit connection through arts: Exploring and visualizing that includes environment, nature of characterizing, participants created storyboards for the practical art, and opportunity to learn contemporary art forms and gain understand on importance of our language, culture and way of life.  They will learn importance of our rich culture as a fundamental which inspires and motivates each artist. 
6. Animation: Animation will first be introduced and discussed in traditional terms, and will subsequently be explored using computer-based methods. Basic training in Adobe after Effects will be provided at the workshop.
7. Graphic illustration: Graphic illustration designing through traditional oral storytelling.
8. Publishing: Publishing graphic illustration into comic or educational materials.  

The success of these programs can be seen in the increase in the type of quality programming developed at the community level.  The capacity of Tłı̨chǫ Nation to develop creative approaches and initiatives can make a difference for future generations.  The Tłı̨chǫ Arts & Training Workshop is one way the Tłı̨chǫ Government gives practical effect to the principle of reviving our language, culture and way of life.   Our on-going partnership with the Department of Arts & Design, University of Alberta - Adolfo Ruiz and Richard Van Camp, Tlicho Writer & Graphic Comic Publishing brings many benefits for the Tłı̨chǫ people. 

For more information, please contact 
Tony Rabesca, 
Cultural Practises, Manager
Department of Culture & Lands Protection

867-392-6381 ext 1308 or 867-447-0723.