Ursula Johnson facts for kids

Ursula Johnson (born 1980) is a talented Mi’kmaq artist from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She creates art using many different forms. Her work often mixes traditional Mi’kmaq basket weaving with sculptures, art installations, and performance art.

Ursula Johnson uses her art to teach and make people think. She explores important topics like identity, history, and cultural traditions. In 2017, she won the famous Sobey Art Award, one of Canada's biggest art prizes.

Growing Up and Learning Art

Ursula A. Johnson was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in 1980. She grew up in Eskasoni First Nation, Cape Breton. This is known as the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world.

Her great-grandmother, Caroline Gould, was a famous artist. She taught Ursula how to weave baskets. Ursula went to college to study art. She first studied Theatre Arts at the University of Cape Breton from 1998 to 2000.

Later, in 2002, she moved to Halifax. She attended NSCAD University and earned a degree in art in 2006. After graduating, Ursula became the first Artist-in-residence at Cape Breton University. This meant she could live and create art there.

Weaving Baskets and Culture

Many of Ursula Johnson's art shows and performances feature basket weaving. She uses traditional Mi’kmaq methods and shapes. Her work highlights how baskets are often seen as old artifacts. Instead, she shows them as a living part of Indigenous culture.

Ursula's art helps us see baskets in a new way. They are not just old items, but also valuable art. In 2011, some of her unique basket artworks were shown in a solo exhibition. It was called O’pltek, which means "It's Not Right."

In 2006, for a piece called "Nations in a Circle," Ursula wove a basket around herself. This was her first time using traditional methods since moving away from her community. It helped her explore her identity as an urban Indigenous artist. She showed how she connects with Mi’kmaq traditions.

Ursula has also taught about basket weaving. She created a course called "The Role of the Mi’kmaw Basket in Contemporary Fine Craft." She also taught classes through NSCAD University. Before her great-grandmother Caroline Gould passed away in 2011, Ursula organized a special art show. It celebrated 30 years of Caroline Gould's amazing work.

Nocturne Art Projects

Ursula Johnson has created several art projects for Nocturne: Art at Night. This is a yearly art festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It happens at night, from 6 PM to midnight.

Elmiet: Going Home (2010)

For the 2010 Nocturne Festival, Ursula created a performance called Elmiet. This Mi’kmaq word means "to go home." The performance brought attention to a difficult part of Nova Scotia's history.

Ursula wore a special headpiece made from traditional Mi’kmaq basket weaving. It covered her eyes and looked like long hair down her back. A guide led her through downtown Halifax. A group of parkour performers moved around her.

The performance ended at 9 PM on the steps of the Grand Parade in Halifax. Ursula then invited someone from the audience to gently remove her headpiece.

'Hot Looking' (2013)

In 2013, Ursula worked with Bert Milberg, a Pow Wow dancer. They created a performance called Hot Looking. It was a response to a music video that used Indigenous culture in a way that wasn't respectful.

Bert Milberg danced for six hours, from 6 PM to midnight. He wore his full traditional regalia. He danced in the window of a fancy store. He danced to the same song on repeat. Sometimes he would stop and pose while people took pictures. This performance showed how Indigenous cultures are sometimes used or sold without proper understanding.

Speaking Indian (2018)

For Nocturne 2018, Ursula Johnson and her partner, Angella Parsons, performed as their duo, Kinuk. They did three long performances across Halifax and Dartmouth.

During their performances, they spoke to each other in their first languages. Ursula spoke Mi'kmaw, and Angella spoke English. Their conversations explored themes of feeling open and connected. They also talked about their surroundings.

Art Awards and Recognition

Ursula Johnson has received many important awards for her art:

• 2019: Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award for her work Moose Fence.
• 2017: The prestigious Sobey Art Award. This is one of Canada's top art prizes for young artists.
• 2017: REVEAL Indigenous Art Award from the Hnatyshyn Foundation.
• 2014: Aboriginal Traditional Art Forms Creation Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts.
• She has also received several grants from Arts Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture & Heritage.

Helping the Community

Ursula Johnson is also involved in her community. She uses her art and voice to support important causes.

In 2014, she performed a special song as a form of protest. It was part of a law conference in Halifax. The performance was called “IKATK,” which means “She Protects.” Ursula and a Mi’kmaq elder invited people to join them or stand with them. The protest lasted four hours.

In 2009, Ursula took part in a UNICEF panel in New York. It was about how Indigenous youth use online networks. She spoke as the Director of the Kitpu Youth Centre. This center helps young people at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax.