Dog Trail (Outdoor)

Dog Trail is a collection of themes, knowledge, and skill-building that detail Jared Tailfeathers’ journey of research and connection through multi-media work. Documented through a several year, multi-phase project, Tailfeathers seeks to understand Blackfoot Traditional Methods of Making and create contemporary works based on those methods exploring stories, history, landmarks, and places.

Ak’hstimani is the ancient Siksikaitsitapi practice of marking important events with stone circles on the landscape. ​Archaeologists often use the term “medicine wheel” to describe larger markings that feature one or two rings of stones, a cairn or rock pile at the center, and stone lines or spokes that radiate out from there. ​There are many ak’hstimani throughout Alberta, ranging in date from over 5000 years ago to the present. ​ They mark significant people and achievements, important sites, star charts, directional wayfinding, calendars, or activities of great importance, such as burials or vision quests, and are special places for ceremony, facilitating communication from great distances. Many of them are positioned on the highest hill in the area, this is because the view from that point allows you to see far across the land and through the sky at the stars, increasing the possibility to be seen from a great distance, to locate the important site, for look-out and communication points, and to see the far across the sky.

This installation features two ak’hstimani on the Leighton Art Centre property; the large one on the highest point of the hill marking this important location, a place to encourage the viewer to experience the entire 360 degree spectacular view of ancient landmarks with ancient names. It functions as a wayfinder, a communication point, and as a sundial. It encourages communication between the top of the hill to the deep marsh area where the second marker is situated. The second marker, as the main view point from the top and anchor to the backdrop, highlights the importance of the water to the overall health of those hills and the true heart of the Leightons old grounds, it is also a working sundial that utilizes the rocks and wood from the immediate area and holds the energy of that place.