Articles by author: Brock University

• Suzanne Rochon-Burnett’s contribution to indigenous arts honoured in new exhibit

  Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 30 August 2017 – R00150

  Before Suzanne Rochon-Burnett passed away, she asked that her daughter Michele-Elise take over where she had left off.

  “She gave me instructions for her art,” said Michele-Elise Burnett. “She said, ‘you’ve been fortunate to see and know this art, but it will be your responsibility to continue to share the knowledge, the teachings and the messages that are being told through our people’s art.’”

  The desire to continue advocating and sharing indigenous art is the driving force behind a new art exhibition opening next week at Brock University’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts (MIWSFPA).

  Brock University, The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre and Kakekalanicks Indigenous Arts Consultancy are joining together to present Awakening Her Spirit — Select Works from the collection of Suzanne Rochon-Burnett as part of the first Celebration of Nations event.

  The exhibit opens at the MIWSFPA Visual Arts Gallery Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.

  The exhibition follows Suzanne Rochon-Burnett’s journey to empower and support indigenous arts in Canada and globally through a collection of paintings, mixed media, sculpture and personal objects. Curated by Samuel Thomas (Cayuga), the show will feature never-before exhibited original works by Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig, Carl Beam, Roy Thomas, Vince Bomberry, Simon Brascoupe, Bruce King and more.

  “My mom was an advocate and champion of indigenous art before it was being recognized as legitimate art,” Michele-Elise Burnett said. “She helped build recognition and respect to ensure that indigenous artists were compensated fairly like everybody else. She championed artists and their work and encouraged them to find value in it.”

  Samuel Thomas, a master bead worker and family friend, will lead an interactive Curator’s Talk on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery.

  “My mother took beading lessons from Sam’s mother,” Michele-Elise explained. “When I told Sam about the Celebration of Nations exhibit of my mother’s art, he was pleased and honoured to help pull it together.”

  Rochon-Burnett was a Métis broadcaster and businesswoman who started her career as a journalist in Quebec. Among her many accomplishments, she and daughter Michele-Elise became the first indigenous Canadians to own a CRTC broadcast license as owner and operator of Spirit 91.7 FM radio in Niagara.

  Rochon-Burnett would also become co-founder and first vice-chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario, and sat on boards at TV Ontario, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canadian Council of the Arts, among others. In 2002, Rochon-Burnett received an Honorary Doctorate from Brock in recognition of her contributions to Canadian cultural life.

  She has left many legacies, including the Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Scholarship at the University, which has to date helped 18 indigenous students embark on a university education they may have otherwise never had. Fiercely proud of her heritage, Rochon-Burnett has shown that an individual who is inspired can wake up every day and follow and achieve their dreams.

  Awakening Her Spirit is part of Celebration of Nations, a gathering of indigenous arts, culture and tradition set for Sept. 8-10. The gathering features ticketed performances by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, DJ Shub as well as free workshops, performances and teachings all weekend long. The full schedule is available at www.celebrationofnations.ca

  The exhibit continues through Sept. 30 at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts located at 15 Artists’ Common in downtown St. Catharines.

  Situated on the lower level of the MIWSFPA, regular hours of the Art Gallery are Tuesday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. Additional open hours for Celebration of Nations include:

  Thursday, Sept. 7 from 6-9 p.m.

  Friday, Sept. 8 from 1-8 p.m.

  Saturday, Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

  Sunday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  Saturday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

   

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  – 30 –

  Categories: Media releases

• Brock University Move-In Day tradition set for Sunday

  Tuesday, August 29, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 29 August 2017 – R00149

  Brock University’s annual Move-In Day is like a well-rehearsed orchestra performance. But instead of highly trained musicians, this symphony is performed by a small army of volunteers.

  The Move-In Day tradition at Brock has evolved over the years, and on Sunday, Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. nearly 2,400 mostly first-year students will be moved into their residences across the Brock University campus. The Brock residences are 100 per cent sold out this year, with a waiting list set up in case any spaces open up.

  Move-In Day has always been a one-day blitz but it became more challenging in 2003 when the available space at Brock grew to 2,400 beds from 1,800 with the opening of the Lowenberger and Quarry View residences.

  Jamie Fleming, Director of Residences, credits the organization of the day to Cindy Chernish, Manager, Residence Facilities and Finance, who has spent more than 10 years co-ordinating the annual event. Fleming also notes the tremendous support received from BUSU, hundreds of student volunteers and staff from across campus.

  “Every year we review and debrief and evaluate things that we should change for the next year,” Fleming said. “Over the past decade, it has been tweaked and fine-tuned to become the well-oiled machine that it is now.”

  Getting thousands of students unloaded across campus requires both a huge team of student volunteers and dozens of staff from several University departments, as well as a carefully co-ordinated schedule that tells families which one-hour window of time they should arrive in.

  It takes just minutes for the volunteers to help students and their families with unloading cars and getting students’ belongings to their rooms.

  To help make the introduction to University life a bit easier, a variety of service offices will be open Sunday such as Parking, IT Help Desk, Brock Card, Campus Store and the Walker Sports Complex.

  Because of the logistics and space required to move 2,400 students into residences, parking and access around the Brock campus will be limited Sunday. People visiting the University for other purposes — including those visiting the Walker Sports Complex or outdoor athletic fields — are asked to park in Lot A and allow extra time to get in and out of campus.

  For anyone coming onto campus from the QEW via Highway 406, please note that the construction at the 406 and St. David’s Road/Sir Isaac Brock Way interchange won’t impact your travel. However, anyone coming to campus from south Niagara via Highway 406 should exit the highway at Beaverdams Road and take Merrittville Highway to the Brock campus.

  For more information on Move-In Day schedules, recommendations and locations, visit the Department of Residences website.

  NOTE: Media are invited to attend Sunday’s Move-In Day. President Gervan Fearon will be on hand starting around 10 a.m. Jamie Fleming will also be available for interviews. Media Relations Officer Dan Dakin will be on site Sunday and can help co-ordinate any interview requests. 

  For more information:

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

  – 30 –

  Categories: Media releases