Picturing Childhood: Opokaa'sin Early Intervention Society Photo Project

Scope and Content: 2011.1094/1 Picturing Childhood Exhibit: 8"x10" prints 19 photographs 2011.1094/2 Picturing Childhood Exhibit: 11"14" prints 10 photographs [FS 1] 2011.1094/3 Picturing Childhood Exhibit: 2 information panels [FS 1]

Creator: Opokaa'sin Early Intervention Society in cooperation with individual families

History Biographical: The images in the exhibit (and many more) were gathered as part of a research project implemented by students and faculty from the Anthropology Department, the First Nations Transitions Program, and the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Lethbridge. The project involves Blackfoot households but will also be the impetus for a similar project in Indonesia. What is unique with this project is the photographs were taken by those whose lives are being recorded and people from the same community are responding to them. The perspective is not from an outsider's point of view which is often the case in traditional anthropological studies. The images will stay with the community as a resource. A special focus of the exhibit is the process of upbringing and interaction between different generations within individual families. For generations, Blackfoot families were torn apart when children were sent to live in Residential Schools. The photos were taken by caregivers involved with the Opokaa'sin Society who were invited to capture images of "everyday moments of childrearing in their families." The photos were then used to stimulate comments from the families and other members of the Blackfoot community. (Source: exhibit panels) .

Custodial History: The photographs were on exhibit at the Galt Museum from April - August 2011. Upon request from the Galt Museum & Archives, the Opokaa'sin Early Intervention Society decided to donate the materials to the archives. Certificates of gift were signed by individual families.

Scope and Content: 2011.1094/1 Picturing Childhood Exhibit: 8"x10" prints 19 photographs 2011.1094/2 Picturing Childhood Exhibit: 11"14" prints 10 photographs [FS 1] 2011.1094/3 Picturing Childhood Exhibit: 2 information panels [FS 1]

Notes: Additional keywords: aboriginal, First Nations, Blackfoot, Blood reserve, photography Files found in the 2011 Year end box #3