Talks and docs
AABAAKWAD for Art Gallery of Ontario
In this incredible speech for the Art Gallery on Ontario at Home, Duke discusses the effects of colonization on the Indigenous reality. With reference Dr. Iain McGilchrist’s work on the differences between the human brain’s right and left hemispheres and the effect of this phenomena on society, history and culture, Duke posits that “if human beings are the children of Mother Earth and we have two distinct hemispheres functioning and operating within our own reality, then it follows that Mother Earth herself could have two distinct hemispheres functioning in her reality as well: The European “left hemisphere” and the Indigenous “right hemisphere.
The Art of Placemaking
In partnership with the Lakeview Village Artscape Project in Mississauga, Duke briefly discusses the importance of reconnecting with nature and water in Canada. Duke’s poem, A Dish with One Spoon, is displayed as a part of a canvas for artistic expression along 1,600 linear feet of construction hoarding wrapping the future Lakeview Village Discovery Centre.
A Dish With One Spoon Poem
An online recital of Duke’s beautiful poem, A Dish With One Spoon. Written in 2019 for his keynote speech at MIT, this poem speaks of the treaty lands of Toronto and the surrounding area.
Reclaimed Sessions, The Junos 2020
Shortly after thousands of Indigenous children’s bodies were found buried in mass graves under the grounds of former Residential Schools in Canada, Duke was invited to open the 2020 Juno Awards and offer his poetry and wisdom to a country in grief, shock and horror of the recent unfolding. Duke recited his poem Stolen Children, Stolen Souls which he wrote in 2008 in an attempt to bring the public eye to the horrific past of genocide in Canada. This short and deeply poignant speech is delivered with the classic grace Duke has become known for. His words, coupled with the haunting reality of the tragic past of Canada’s Indigenous Populations, will move you to the core.
A trailer of an upcoming full length documentary film on the Wigwam Chi-Chemung
The Wigwam Chi-Chemung is Duke’s floating Indigenous Art Installation and Indigenous Interpretive Center. The upcoming film will be produced by Myseum Toronto, in partnership with Toronto Biennial of Art and Toronto Arts Council
Duke’s Keynote at MIT 2020
As part of the Inaugural Indigenous Digital Delegation at MIT, Duke presents a keynote talk titled A Dish with One Spoon. He frames his talk around four concepts. THE BLINK OF AN EYE: all we were given by the Creator, a.k.a. The Big Bang; THE STROKE OF A PEN: what permitted the Europeans strip the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island of their culture and lands; THE CLICK OF A MOUSE: technology which we have acquired to retrieve our freedom; and THE SPEED OF LIGHT: the acceleration necessary to guarantee a viable future for everyone on this planet.
Summer Poem
A beautiful recital of Duke’s poem ‘Summer’ performed at his houseboat in Ontario Place at the end of the Summer Works Program put on by the Toronto Biennial in late-August 2020.
The Power of the Land Poem
The Sultans of String feat. Duke Redbird and Twin Flames
Introducing The Wigwam Chi-Chemung June 2019
During the summer of 2019, 2020 and 2021 Duke’s floating art installation and Indigenous interpretive learning centre Wigwam Chi-Chemung (Big House Canoe) was docked at the Marina of Ontario Place. WigWam Chi-Chemung is a 40 ft pontoon houseboat covered with Indigenous artwork painted by muralist Phil Cote, Duke Redbird, and crew. Wigwam Chi-Chemung held public hours offering a place for people to engage with, ask question of, and learn from the perspectives of Indigenous Elders.