On April 11, 2016, the small, remote town of Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario, Canada, made headlines worldwide. That day, 11 people attempted suicide—some as young as 11 years old. The devastating impact of the Residential School System played a significant role in this crisis. Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families for ten months each year in an effort to assimilate them into Western culture and Christian beliefs. Many of these children faced neglect, abuse, and inadequate education, leading to widespread unemployment, intergenerational trauma, addiction, mental health struggles, and a high suicide rate. Additionally, many residents of Attawapiskat live in overcrowded, substandard, or condemned housing.
‘ECHO’ is a collaborative project that amplifies the voices of Attawapiskat’s youth, shedding light on their lived experiences while critically examining both media portrayals of marginalized communities and the lasting effects of colonialism on Indigenous children today. The project juxtaposes cold, desolate landscapes with dark yet warm and intimate family portraits. Alongside these images, drawings, writings, and photographs by local children offer an unfiltered glimpse into their thoughts and concerns.
Designed by SYB, the project’s dummy was nominated for the Luma Rencontres d'Arles Book Dummy Award, the BookDummyAward La Fábrica & Photo London, and the Photo Book Prize at Cortona On The Move.
The project was published in Trouw
