CARFAC NATIONAL presents the 2025 Indigenous Protocols for the Visual Arts Workshop Series:
Join us for our 2025 Indigenous Protocols Workshop Series, offering tailored sessions for diverse participants in the visual arts sector. These workshops, presented via Zoom, are designed to deepen understanding and foster respectful engagement with Indigenous protocols in the arts
Over the course of the workshops, we will have discussions around Intellectual Property, cultural appropriation, safeguarding cultural knowledge, and Indigenous artist’s rights and responsibilities when using traditional and contemporary imagery. There will also be information on how artists can protect their artwork using available tools and legal resources.
Protection and Considerations for Indigenous Artists Workshop
with Claire Johnston
The workshop will cover:
Understanding the rights and responsibilities Indigenous artists have when incorporating traditional and contemporary imagery into their work
Considerations around safeguarding Traditional Knowledge
Learning the basics of Canada’s Intellectual Property Rights system and the ways Indigenous artists can use it to protect their work
Conversations around cultural appropriation
Claire Johnston (they/she) is a Two-Spirit Autistic Métis beadwork artist based in Treaty 1 Territory/Winnipeg. They are currently mentoring under Master Beadwork Artist and Knowledge Keeper Jennine Krauchi, as well as engaging in intergenerational knowledge transfer from their Father Roy Johnston.
Within only two years in their art practice, Claire’s work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale (Venice), the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art (Vancouver), and Tangled Arts (Toronto). In Spring 2023, they were chosen as a finalist for the 8th Edition of the Boynes Emerging Artist Award and in Fall, 2024, they will have their first solo-show in Winnipeg with support from the Arts Accessibility Network Manitoba. Claire’s work is informed by the strengthening of relationships—with themself, their kin and the natural world. They are a Sundancer, an MMF citizen, a member of the Two-Spirit Michif Local, and organize a grassroots Indigenous-led intergenerational neurodivergent circle of support called Wiichihew aen roon poor li Piitoshi-Iteeyihtam.