aen nistwayr mayshkotoonikayhk / First Story

Jason Baerg

A Space Main Gallery

April 28 – July 11, 2026

Reception is part of imagineNATIVE's annual Art Crawl June 4, 2026, 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

Artist Talk May 22, 2026, 7:00 pm–8:00 pm

Copresented by: A Space Gallery and imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival

In the spirit of honoring and celebrating family narratives, "aen nistwayr mayshkotoonikayhk" delves into the profound connections between memory, place and continuity. This new project builds upon a media work created for an exhibition at the OCADU Graduate Gallery during Truth and Reconciliation Day, where I showcased my family's archival images alongside their stories. The initial media loop transformed photographs of my Métis ancestors into animated stories using Artificial Intelligence, breathing life into these cherished memories. The impact of this work was palpable; during the exhibition's opening, my mother, Doris Lanigan, a Senator for the Métis Nations of Ontario, experienced a deeply emotional connection to the piece. Her response inspired new dynamic dialogue within our family, prompting visits and exchanges of additional images and stories, thus illustrating the healing potential of shared narratives.

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Biographies

Jason Baerg, Red River Métis from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, is a multidisciplinary artist, activist, and educator. Now based in Ontario, he’s an Assistant Professor at OCAD University and co-founder of Métis artist collectives. His digital and media art has been exhibited internationally. Learn more at JasonBaerg.ca.