History of Canada — The Parallel History Project
Art, Storytelling, and Multiple Perspectives on Canadian History
The Parallel History Project is an educational art talk and public presentation that explores the history of Canada through both Indigenous and colonial perspectives.
I am Abenaki from Odanak, and this work is rooted in the responsibility to share history with care, truth, and context. The Parallel History Project invites audiences to look at Canada’s past through more than one lens, recognizing that history is not singular, but layered, lived, and ongoing.
Through visual art and storytelling, this presentation creates space for reflection, dialogue, and deeper cultural understanding.
Who This Presentation Is For
The Parallel History Project is designed for a broad public audience, including:
• Museum visitors
• Gallery attendees
• Cultural organizations
• Educators and students
• Conferences and general public audiences
The presentation is accessible and thoughtful, meeting audiences where they are while encouraging deeper engagement with history.
What the Parallel History Project Explores
This presentation uses art as a tool to examine Canadian history from parallel perspectives.
Key areas of focus include:
• Underrepresented Indigenous histories
• The impacts of colonization and settlement
• Indigenous resilience and continuity
• How history has been recorded, taught, and remembered
Artwork created by Jessica is central to the presentation, including murals, paintings, and project highlights that visually communicate historical narratives and lived experience.
The purpose of the project is to educate, foster dialogue, and support a more complete understanding of Canada’s history.
Where the Presentation Is Offered
The Parallel History Project can be presented in a variety of settings, including:
• Museums, galleries, and cultural centres across Canada
• Art institutions and educational conferences
• Cultural organizations and learning spaces
• Online or virtual presentations for wider accessibility
This flexibility allows the presentation to support exhibitions, public programming, and Indigenous awareness initiatives.
When the Presentation Is Offered
Presentations are offered as:
• Scheduled art talks
• Educational workshops
• Conference or keynote-style presentations
Timing and format are flexible and can align with exhibitions, school programming, or cultural events.
Presentation Flow
Each presentation follows a clear and engaging structure.
Introduction
Art Talk
Indigenous Teachings
Audience Engagement
Conclusion
Format Options
The Parallel History Project can be offered in two formats:
Art Talk Plus Art Activity
Length: 4.5 hours
This format includes the full Art Talk plus a guided art activity.
Participants paint a canoe on wood, guided by the teaching that Turtle Island represents our shared home, and that moving forward requires everyone to paddle together.
The creative process includes:
• Light sketching of canoe and Turtle Island imagery
• Individual or collaborative painting with acrylics
• Reflection on cooperation, responsibility, and shared future
The hands-on component reinforces teachings about interconnectedness, collaboration, and stewardship of Turtle Island.
Art Talk Only
Full Day plus Art based activity $2000 plus materials – change to 6 hours
This format focuses on presentation, storytelling, and discussion. It does not include a hands-on art component and is well-suited for museums, galleries, lectures, and conferences.
Pricing is shared during booking.
Impact of the Parallel History Project
The Parallel History Project supports meaningful learning and reflection.
Audiences experience:
• Increased awareness of Indigenous histories and perspectives
• A deeper understanding of how art communicates history and cultural knowledge
• Opportunities for dialogue around reconciliation and resilience
• Reflection on shared responsibility and collective future
This work encourages respectful engagement with Canada’s history and the ongoing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Book the Parallel History Project
The Parallel History Project is available for museums, galleries, educational institutions, conferences, and cultural organizations.
To discuss format options, scheduling, accessibility needs, or pricing, please visit the Contact and Booking page.
