About | Carleigh Milburn and Making Sense of Decolonization

About the Researcher

Carleigh Milburn, a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, is enrolled in a doctoral program at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Ms. Milburn is actively engaged in research that explores the transformative potential of Indigenous artwork, artificial intelligence (AI), collaborative artmaking, and decolonization as powerful mediums for storytelling.

Ms. Milburn is passionate about creating a vibrant space where art can flourish. She primarily works with textiles, gouache, and sculpture to bring her creative vision to life.

In addition, she holds an Ontario Teacher Certification in visual arts, geography, history, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit studies. She is actively teaching for the Limestone District School Board and the Kingston School of Art.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Ms. Milburn founded Modern Métis Woman, a non-profit organization annually providing scholarships to Métis women.

About the Project

Ms. Milburn's research project delved into the dynamic intersection of Indigenous perspectives, Artificial Intelligence (AI), collaborative artmaking, and decolonization. At the core, this initiative was about reconciling cultural practices, addressing biases, and ensuring equitable access. By creating a space where art acted as an extension of ourselves, Ms. Milburn aimed to amplify marginalized voices and promote inclusivity in discussions around decolonization and its manifestations in various contexts.

Decolonization and Indigenous Ways of Knowing

Central to our exploration is the process of decolonization — a means to rectify historical injustices and restore Indigenous rights and self-determination. Inspired by Jennifer Wemigwans' concept of 'Biskaabiiyang' (meaning 'round trip'), our project investigated how technology and digital artmaking could contribute to understanding and visualizing decolonization in diverse spaces by leaving no one behind.

Research Questions

1. How might innovative data art collection practices in Indigenous contexts facilitate understanding of decolonization and promote meaningful relationships toward reconciliation?

2. To what extent can AI in art be considered decolonial?

Ms. Milburn held a series of workshops and exhibitions as part of the project:

May 18, 2024 – Kingston School of Art
June 10, 2024 – Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
June 17, 2024 – Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning
November 27, 2024 – Union Gallery
December 4, 2024 – Union Gallery

During these workshops, participants engaged in discussions, explored decolonization, and created digital collages that reflected their understanding of the theme. Ms. Milburn collected data and keywords that were then transformed into collaborative AI-generated images. These artworks were displayed both in physical and VR art galleries, underscoring the project's blend of traditional and technological approaches.

The project featured both virtual and physical exhibits. Our website, makingsenseofdecolonization.com, showcases the virtual augmented reality environment where art submissions were displayed as well as the AI-generated image that evolved based on textual prompts from participants. The virtual exhibits were accompanied by traditional art pieces that highlighted art as a generational dialogue enhanced by technology.

A large beaded sculpture at the gallery invited attendees to add a bead, symbolizing their commitment to decolonization. This sculpture used the colors of the medicine wheel and included beads representing the Grandfather Teachings, fostering an Indigenous way of understanding and participating in craft and commitment. Through this project, we not only sought to explore the role of AI in art and decolonization but also aimed to create a lasting impact that supported the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's goals and contributed to nation-building.

Below are images produced by Ms. Milburn, her mothers, and her father, illustrating that conventional art stems from ancestral connections, experiences, and recognizes that technique is not only learned but also inherited. Art is the process of navigating challenges, taking moments to breathe, and finding ways to connect with aspects of ourselves that we yearn to remember. When we create art, we are engaging in a dialogue with our ancestors, our roots, and our younger selves. Art is not just what you place on paper; it encompasses our conversations, our identities, our ideologies, our values, and how we make sense of the world. Let's explore decolonization, reconcile among the raspberry bushes, and share stories with the sunflowers.

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