Amanda Amour-Lynx
Curated by Amanda Amour-Lynx, Digital Constellations is a mesmerizing scene floating gracefully in the vast expanse of an astral cyberspace. Its works are a result of a digital two-spirit mentorship and regalia-making program foregrounding youth access to culture and traditional spaces. With works by Amanda Amour-Lynx, Samay Arcentales Cajas, Mel Compton, Nico Laliberte-Cozzens, Nishina Loft, Sheri Osden Nault, Thomas Robertson, Rihkee Strapp, Sydney Wreaks, and Emily Wright—brace yourselves for atmospheric entry into a world where queer Indigenous methodology finds its home in the digital ether.
This exhibition and zine, which originated from a mentorship program offered by Indigenous Youth Roots (https://www.notion.so/Indigenous-Youth-Roots-13688d95c7378012ac5cee9b54e9f793?pvs=21), provides queer Indigenous artists with digital tools to self-represent, integrating AR and traditional regalia-making to honour Indigenous knowledge.Tech Literacy & Accessibility: Presented by Indigenous Youth Roots, Amanda Amour-Lynx’s initiative began as a digital mentorship program that provided queer Indigenous youth with access to both digital tools and cultural traditions. Youth participants created augmented reality (AR) models using the platform STYLY, combining traditional regalia-making with advanced digital skills. This approach fostered tech literacy that honours Indigenous knowledge systems, empowering youth to confidently navigate digital spaces while anchoring their work in cultural identity. The mentorship program culminated in an AR exhibition, which showcased their digital creations in an immersive format, broadening public engagement with Indigenous perspectives in digital media. Reducing Harm in New Media: The AR exhibition created a powerful platform for queer Indigenous youth to self-represent, countering harmful and stereotypical media portrayals that often marginalise or misrepresent queer Indigenous identities. Through mentorship and cultural expression in an AR setting, the exhibition empowered participants to create authentic narratives, fostering resilience and visibility in new media. Data & Knowledge Stewardship: Following the AR exhibition, a zine was produced to document the works and experiences from the program and exhibition. This zine acts as a digital and physical repository, preserving Indigenous protocols and supporting cultural preservation by integrating digital media with traditional practices. This model of self-determined storytelling ensures that the representation of queer Indigenous experiences remains under community control, accessible for future generations, and adaptable to evolving cultural practices.