SAULT STE. MARIE — Documentary exhibits featuring perspectives of the Soo will be on display for the rest of February at Lake Superior State University’s Library Art Gallery.
One exhibit, “Path to the World,” focuses on four Karen refugee families who fled Burma to Sault Ste. Marie in 2009 due to against a militaristic government.
Leslie Askwith spent time with the refugees, talked to them and took pictures to document their new lives and present them in her exhibit.
“This is where they learned to live in the United States and learned about the American ways and had friends here so everywhere they went in town, they would know somebody and other people would know them. Small town life is very different than Grand Rapids,” Askwith said.
Most of the refugees eventually moved from Sault Ste. Marie to Grand Rapids, Michigan, but one woman stayed, got married and started a family.
“The freedom we have here is just amazing. I know there are so many things going on in this country but compared to other countries around the world we are so blessed. God has truly blessed us with freedom here and I do not want to take that for granted,” Mercy Lane said.
There is no admission to the exhibits. The gallery is open to the public.