"I know this sounds crazy, but I think we should build a time machine." ~ Captain Jimmy Swann, 2057

As a Collective, we have extensive expertise in architectural and environmental design; development of ecological, environmental, and non-traditional exhibition art forms and spaces; community-based research and collaborations; land-based education; Indigenous cultural practices; Anishinaabe teachings; large-scale installation; performance; and digital technology. The members of the Collective have demonstrable experience – individually and as a group – of being able to successfully conceptualize and realize complex ground-breaking multi-dimensional projects.

Our “conversation” project began with the blending of stories from Indigenous and settler perspectives, harnessing art and technology to stimulate dialogue, promote cultural revival, and inspire collective responsibility for our environment. Merging historical facts with created narratives, this body of work includes mixed media and video components that follow the artists’ time travelling alter egos, Captain Jimmy Swann (Joel Richardson) and Commander George Nadjiwon (Nyle Miigizi Johston) as they grapple with what it means to reconcile.

We create dialogues that span time – connecting past, present, and future – by weaving the narratives of Indigenous and Settler communities into immersive, accessible, thought-provoking experiences. Our Collective engages in this exploration by reimagining histories and possible futures with a blend of artistic expression and innovative media, fostering cultural understanding and environmental stewardship.

The projects that we present create a bridge between the past and present, allowing those that experience it, the opportunity to redefine what our present has been and thus to shape what lies ahead. We believe that stories and storytelling are foundational and give us guidance that we are very much in need of in contemporary times. We must take the time to listen to each other and to understand. Shared stories allow us to forge new alliances in order to create potential solutions to the collective problems our society is currently facing. We are proud to bring our story to life, invite viewers and participants into different worlds, each with its own set of possibilities, perils and premise

… OUR STORY BEGINS on the shores of Georgian Bay, on Indian Reserve No. 27, where Wazhashk, a young Anishinabe woman, sits singing a beautiful song. The year is 1899. Under a lush cedar tree, she places an offering of tobacco with great love, gazing out at the crystal blue waters as a raven takes flight into the clear sky. This song reaches out to the future, creating a bridge between the past and present, allowing those that hear it, the opportunity to redefine what our present has been and thus to shape what lies ahead. 

FAST FORWARD TO 2057 - Commander George Nadjiwon and Captain Jimmy Swann, two friends, connected by fate, must harness ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology to build a time machine, alter the course of history, and prevent an environmental catastrophe, Will they succeed in restoring balance to the world? Continuing the Collective’s use of gonzo theatrical devices we blur the lines between fact and fiction, taking the audience on a time travelling journey spanning the years 1889 to 2057.

Using artifacts from the past and the future we will begin in 2057 by introducing our audiences to the radical political and environmental conditions of the time. The viewer will encounter the corporate fascist state ruling the continent with an iron fist, while at the same time draining the Great Lakes of water to fuel a toxic industrial agenda. Our project acts as a catalyst, invitation, and a reminder of what has gone before, what we are dealing with now, and how we can come together to shape a future together. 

Art is often framed as a tool for reflection or critique but we believe its impact goes further. It has the ability to shape perception, influence emotion and shift what people are drawn toward. Multiple histories and realities co-exist. Artists do not work in isolation but operate across public space, social space, and digital space, engaging directly with the environments and communities around them. In this context, art becomes less about representation and more about activation, creating conditions where they begin to see and feel differently.

And sometimes, that shift is what makes change possible.