Returning to the Land Gallery Exhibition

Gina B
Feb 4
2 min read

Updated: May 25

In October, Returning to the Land was honored as the inaugural grand opening exhibition at Stinesten Art Gallery, a moment that felt deeply grounding, as I stepped in to sharing my voice in a new visual way.

This exhibition marked the beginning of a new creative space rooted in intention, and supporting local indigenous artists. To open the gallery with work centered on land, connection, and belonging felt especially meaningful. Returning to the Land invited viewers to slow down, reflect, and consider our relationship with the landscapes that shape us, physically, emotionally, and culturally.

Seeing this work live on the walls, held within a space dedicated to art and community, was a powerful reminder of why these stories matter. We are incredibly grateful to Stinesten Art Gallery for trusting our work to open their doors and for creating space for dialogue, reflection, and connection through art.

This exhibition was not just an opening, it was a beginning.

For all of you who joined me on this walk-through journey at the gallery, thank you. Your presence, your conversations, and the beautiful, thoughtful words you shared, both in person and in the guest book, meant more than I can express.

Your presence and support were deeply meaningful. You will forever be an important foundational stepping stone in my creative journey forward. As I continue to express and share projects that truly light up my heart, so thank you.

Thank you for making this such a beautiful first exhibition experience. I’m so excited to now share Returning to the Land through online viewing.

Returning to the Land gallery exhibition - Indigenous documentary photographer Gina Bussidor, Kamloops BC

Edehon

2024

16"x 20" Gloss Metal Print

Edehon - panoramic subarctic tundra landscape with autumn arctic vegetation and grey lake, by Indigenous photographer Gina Bussidor

Handwritten artist statement by Gina Bussidor about Edehon Lake and Sayisi Dene connection to the land - indigenous photographer Kamloops BC

Shelter and Spruce Smoke

2024

16 x 20 Metal Print

8 x 11 Gloss Prints

Shelter and Spruce Smoke - black kettles and teapots on grill over stone campfire, traditional northern camp, by Gina Bussidor

Sayisi Dene land-based activity camp on the shores of Edehon Lake - documentary photography by Gina Bussidor Kamloops BC

Tents on northern tundra at the Sayisi Dene land-based camp at Edehon Lake - documentary photography by Gina Bussidor Kamloops BC

Traditional cooking over an open fire at the Sayisi Dene land-based camp at Edehon Lake - documentary photography by Gina Bussidor Kamloops BC

Handwritten artist statement by Gina Bussidor describing the Sayisi Dene base camp at Edehon Lake - indigenous documentary photographer Kamloops BC

Sony

2024

16 x 20 Metal Print

Sony the camp dog at Edehon Lake - documentary portrait by Sayisi Dene photographer Gina Bussidor, Returning to the Land exhibition Kamloops BC

Handwritten artist statement about Sony the camp dog at Edehon Lake - by Sayisi Dene documentary photographer Gina Bussidor Kamloops BC

Carried by the Earth

2024

16 x 20 Metal Print

8 x 11 Gloss Prints

Carried by the Earth - Indigenous children and elder on subarctic tundra in land-based learning, by documentary photographer Gina Bussidor

Carried by the Earth - film crew documenting Indigenous children’s land-based learning on subarctic tundra, Gina Bussidor

Carried by the Earth - Indigenous children in life jackets on motorboat on northern lake, land-based learning series by Gina Bussidor

Handwritten artist statement for Carried by the Earth photo series - by Sayisi Dene documentary photographer Gina Bussidor Kamloops BC

Wild and Free

2024

16 x 20 Metal Print

Wild and Free - sweetgrass blowing in the wind near Tadoule Lake, sacred plant of the Sayisi Dene people, by Indigenous photographer Gina Bussidor

Handwritten artist statement about sacred sweetgrass growing wild near Tadoule Lake - by Sayisi Dene documentary photographer Gina Bussidor Kamloops BC

Returning to the Land Promo Film

2024

Canon 5D Mark 4 and DJI Mini Pro 2

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/32dc04_043b34484d754affa3b68fdee935fef3/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

An experimental one minute Cinematography project. Only 8 video/ photos could be used to create a story with no talking or explaining.

Returning

2024

Canon 5d Mark 4, DJI Mini, Samsung Phone

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/32dc04_7af12f9263144c58a62d9e4f1a06df85/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

This is my personal video I made from my trip North. I named it Returning, because it was a journey of returning not only to the land but to one of my homes. I hadn't been my my northern community reserve in the summer season in over 10 years.