Institutions install new artwork to honour Indigenous presence on campus

Educational institutions across Canada have installed new artwork by Indigenous artists on their campuses and grounds. The University of Prince Edward Island has temporarily installed a tipi on its Charlottetown campus to symbolize Indigenous cultural and spiritual presence, as well as to represent the institution’s journey towards reconciliation. The tipi and ground were blessed by Mi’kmaq Elder Thirly Levi in a ceremony. At the Centre d’Études Collégiales à Chibougamau, Stéfanie Thompson and Cree artist Jimmy Tim Whiskeychan collaborated to create a mural called Wisdom from the Land (Sagesse de la terre). The mural was unveiled at the opening of the cegep’s new Indigenous student space. Odawa Anishinaabe artist Michael “Cy” Cywink and grade 6-8 students at Waverley Drive Public School recently collaborated on the creation of a mural: Images were chosen from Cywink’s portfolio, projected onto the wall, and filled in by students using colours representing their feelings. Huron University has received a new statue from Haudenosaunee artist Leroy Henry titled Eagle Tree of Peace. The statue, which was designed by Henry’s father and had been in progress for around 38 years, is a reminder of reconciliation.