WLU, Camosun launch art, design projects to celebrate Indigenous culture

Wilfrid Laurier University and Camosun College have both launched art and design projects to celebrate Indigenous culture. At WLU, Ojibwe artist Mike Cywink is developing a mural for the university library’s southwest wall in collaboration with 120 community volunteers. “The vision and hope for this wasn’t just to commission an artist to do the design and the whole project itself,” said WLU Associate VP, Indigenous Initiatives Darren Thomas. “It was always the intent of building community.” At Camosun, Cowichan canoe builder Francis Wilson is guiding Indigenous Peoples in Trades Training students to design cedar paddles. The designs on the paddles are drawn from artwork created by Coast Salish artist Dylan Thomas and featured on Camosun’s strategic plan.