↓

wâpos (northern Cree for rabbit), designed and created by Indigenous Artist Jason Carter and built as an immersive experience by Bridget Ryan, is a celebration of wâpos. wâpos is celebrated for prosperity, abundance, and good luck - but also for wit, wisdom, and of course, being incredibly playful. All of these attributes are celebrated in this immersive installation with lights, sound, story, and sculpture to create a unique celebration of wâpos, renewal, and hope.

the creative team.

Jason Carter

A member of the Little Red River Cree Nation, and one of Canada’s most exciting and accomplished contemporary Indigenous visual artists; Jason is the man behind the beautiful design of the wâpos experience.

Bridget Ryan

An actor, singer, playwright, director, and television host from Edmonton; Bridget has performed at theatres all over Canada, written four full-length musicals, and is the creative director behind the wâpos experience.

Jason Carter on wâpos.

“The rabbit has always been an incredible source of inspiration to me. From the very first moment, back in 2006, when I was carving an oblong-shaped piece of soapstone and I didn’t know quite know what it wanted to be (with stone carving, much of the creation is literally a dialogue with the stone). I kept removing stone and suddenly, a rabbit ear emerged, long and perfect, and quite sincerely - it was this massive, pivotal point in my career as an artist and storyteller. I dug deep into the stories and characters of my Cree culture, learning more about wâpos, the trickster character.

Rabbit is a character known to pivot, shapeshift, keep ‘creating’ so that they may continue surviving. wâpos’ fortitude as an animal is nothing short of impressive! Whenever I see a rabbit anywhere, I instantly have this feeling that I am on the right path. That is my intention with this installation. This year has been unlike any other; full of much grief and tremendous challenges and I hope that this installation in Amiskwaskahegan, alongside the Aboriginal Walk of Honour, brings a small moment of hope, clarity and the feeling that we are on the right path.

Jason Carter on the sculptures:

“Creating these sculptures has been an incredible experience. Working mostly in stone prior, i can’t quite describe the feeling of seeing something come into ‘larger-than-life’ size. Having light inside them gives them so much warmth and they are delicate! You’ve got to be careful with them. Unlike stone, they require a different care, a different touch and the experience of seeing them is unique. Ultimately, they come alive for me. I’m extremely honoured for this opportunity to express myself and create something that I feel so passionate about."

the wâpos experience.

The installation explores and celebrates wâpos and change. It’s an immersive experience that finds you walking along a lit path and the story weaves a tale about the discovery of wâpos and their many gifts that they bestow through the story of ‘Little and Small’. Eight foot to twelve foot rabbit sculptures lit from within can be seen from afar, but more curiously, one can discover the dozens of rabbits also scattered through the landscape. The sound design has been created to replicate the migration of birds in the Spring to give us that sense of renewal and hope. The installation is a gift to share in an open green space, perhaps in a park, where people can move safely and freely and engage in an immersive celebration of our strength to endure, rebuild and hope.