Unveiling of George Rammell's "Chambers of Predetermined Outcomes: Gatekeepers of Justice"

George Rammell, Rueben George, Alex Phillips, Michelle Silongan, & Ian Angus
Art Unveiling & Panel Discussion
March 21, 2023
Join us for an unveiling of George Rammell’s sculptural work “Chambers of Predetermined Outcomes: Gatekeepers of Justice” by Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh nation. The unveiling is followed by a discussion with the artist and introductory statements by panelists Rueben George, Alex Phillips, and Michelle Silongan on the TMX struggle, political art, and injunction culture. Rammell’s sculpture has been funded through the British Columbia Arts Council.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
George Rammell was born in Cranbrook, BC. He studied at the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr University of Art and Design) from 1971-75 and has been active as a sculptor and art instructor since 1975. He taught sculpture at Emily Carr University and worked as a studio sculptor for Haida Artist Bill Reid, amongst other prominent artists. For 24 years he taught sculpture and drawing in the Studio Art Faculty at Capilano University. Rammell is currently immersed in a body of activist art in support of Indigenous nations who are opposed to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
PANELISTS
Rueben George of the Tsleil-­Waututh Nation is an Indigenous community organizer and spiritual leader. He is a Sun Dance Chief and the grandson of Chief Dan George, the Oscar nominated and universally respected First Nations spiritual leader. Rueben has worked across Canada and the United States facilitating workshops on healing and wellness. In every project Rueben works on, he is sure to incorporate his culture and spirituality. In his present position as director of community development for the Tsliel-Waututh Nation, Rueben oversees the education, social services, employment and training, youth and Elders programs, family support programs and the Tsliel Waututh Nation Daycare and Early Childhood Learning Centre.
Alex Phillips is a sculptor, writer, and Associate Professor at Emily Carr University where she teaches visual art and anthropology. Alex chairs the Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators, which represents 10,000 teachers across BCs colleges and universities. She has represented Emily Carr’s faculty on its Board of Governors for eight years.
Michelle Silongan is a lawyer practicing in criminal defence and civil litigation on the territories of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt and Kwikwetlem peoples. Her clients include Indigenous and environmental activists being prosecuted on criminal charges or for contempt of court, including at the Trans Mountain pipeline and Fairy Creek. She is also a Steering Committee member for the Law Union of BC and a member of its Movement Legal Support Subcommittee, which provides legal support and Know Your Rights trainings to activists. Michelle holds a BA from UBC, a Master of Public Policy from SFU, and an LLB (Hons) from Queen Mary, University of London.
MODERATOR
Ian Angus is Professor Emeritus from the Department of Global Humanities at Simon Fraser University. He has published in the areas of contemporary philosophy, Canadian Studies, and communication theory. A Festschrift on his work has been edited by Samir Gandesha and Peyman Vahabzadeh: “Crossing Borders: Essays in Honour of Ian H. Angus, “Beyond Phenomenology and Critique” (Arbeiter Ring, 2020). His most recent book is “Groundwork of Phenomenological Marxism: Crisis, Body, World” (Lexington Books, 2021).