In 2019 we supported a project between artist Louise Manifold and Galway Traveller Movement youth group. The project was funded by a €5,000 grant to Galway Arts Centre and saw young travellers work with different art forms and create a documentary based on young Traveller identity, confidence in the public sphere and the right to active citizenship. They also created artworks that explored the duality of youth Traveller identity such as animated postcards that highlighted some of the discrimination they face.
Traveller Discrimination
The group learned about project development, camera operation, interviewing and editing skills. Many didn’t feel comfortable on camera so their voices were used along with a camouflage effect for the final video. They created artworks exploring their identity through animated postcards that highlighted discrimination against Travellers in the areas of housing, employment and bullying. One of these postcards state: “77% of Travellers have experienced discrimination in the past year with 43% of Travellers in encountering discrimination while accessing employment.”
Cultural Disconnect
The group also discussed the disconnect many felt with the cultural traditions of the Traveller community. Most of the group have few of the skills their grandparents had and many also consider the older traditions, language and skills of their grandparents as being of no practical use to them in relation to the hardships they face on a daily basis. One participant said “learning cant is not going to help me get a home.” Many spoke about the conflict between actively participating in their community and not wanting to bring attention to this due to discrimination.
Continued Support
The group responded better to physical craft making rather than the digital work. The video shows paper flowers, a symbol of traveller identity, asking participants to unmake these symbols, reflecting a disconnect between young Travellers and their heritage. This proved to be cathartic for those involved and its felt similar projects would be beneficial to young Travellers in the future. Watch the video here. https://youtu.be/XdzhliqtnNw
We have previously supported initiatives such as the National Traveller Mental Health Network and the National Traveller Survey. The latter shows that issues affecting Travellers - such as racism and exclusion, matters relating to identity, employment, education and accommodation - have a huge impact on the community's quality of life and mental health. This grant was provided as part of The Community Foundation for Ireland’s commitment to support marginalised communities and ethnic minorities. We’ve had an invested interest in supporting Traveller’s in Ireland as this group is often left out of government funding and excluded from mainstream services.