Indigenous artwork restored after being targeted by vandals

Public art installations surrounding Land Back Camp were vandalized three times this week — but the artist said they are not feeling upset.

“If anything, I am taking it as a compliment because art is doing what art does and that is to evoke emotions”, said Bangishimo, the artist behind the photographs, who is also a co-founder of Land Back Camp.

“It is meant to make people talk and in this case, it's making people upset because the pictures are Indigenous folks on the land.”

They said they had spoken with CAFKA long ago about the possibility of vandalism.

“I even mentioned that our presence as Indigenous people make people uncomfortable. We are people in a park reclaiming land and people don't like that. Telling white folks that they can't have access to 300 meters of land just makes them so upset.”

They said the second collection is in partnership with Create Waterloo. It is a portrait series titled “On the Land” which went up along the GeoTime trails.

Since the incidents of vandalism, the photographs have been fully restored by members of Create Waterloo and CAFKA. 

“I am really grateful to have that support from Create Waterloo and CAFKA” said Bangishimo. “Supporting the work means supporting the Indigenous artists in this region.”

They added one way community members can help is by donating land, so that Land Back Camp members have a permanent place to call home.

“This is our third time setting up in a a park. We are looking for a permanent place to call home away from the public by the water — somewhere where Indigenous youths and the Indigenous community can gather without having the fear of being harassed or attacked.”

You can help support members of Land Back Camp reach their goal and cover daily costs by donating to their Patreon page.

Police believe the mischief occurred between Wed., August 11 and Thurs., August 12.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-570-9777 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

– With files from Divya Gill and Aastha Shetty

The first image, in a downtown storefront had a word etched into my forehead. The other image was ripped from the ground and tossed into the bushes. I can't say enough about how this speaks to anti-Indigenous racism, homophobia, and white supremacy. 2/

— Amy Smoke (@amysmoke1) August 13, 2021