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Local high school students work with First Nation artist to connect cultures

Mural graces entrance to St. James high school

A huge mural collaboration between local students and First Nations Woodland artist Nancy King (Chief Lady Bird) will soon grace the entrance of St. James high school, a tribute to bridging cultures and reconciliation.

The 8 foot-by-12 foot mural incorporates themes of leadership, respect for one another and the environment and the connection of cultures. It took two days to complete as the leadership and peer support class worked alongside King on Jan. 16 and 17.

The project has been in the works for some time, says teacher Katrina Musselman, spawned after she attended a workshop last summer through the First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Association of Ontario to help educators understand “indigenous world views and ways of knowing.”

It’s where Musselman first learned of the opportunity of First Nations artists visiting schools and connecting with students through art.

“I was instantly attracted to the idea and got Nancy King's (Chief Lady Bird’s) contact …. so that I could pursue the idea of creating a collaborative mural at St. James,” Musselman says.

King shared indigenous teachings and answered questiones as she worked with the class of 10, who were involved in the project either through painting or taking photographs.

“It is an extremely meaningful event for our students, for our school and for our country, which has many layers,” Musselman says. “Part of connecting with communities is learning about the diversity of cultures.

“Part of leadership is being able to connect with others and work toward a common goal. In this case, the goal was not only to complete a Woodland-style mural, but to learn from an indigenous individual about protocol, tradition, sacred ceremony and political views and knowledge, as we worked together to create something beautiful while taking steps toward bridging our cultures, opening lines of communication, learning truths and understanding that this is all part of the healing that needs to take place, through honouring what we can do to respect and begin the process of reconciliation,” she adds.

During the planning process, students created imagery on abstract themes of leadership, responsibility, respect, love, friendship, honesty, forgiveness, courage, truth and loyalty.

“Nancy internalized these images and ideas and brought them to life,” Musselman says. “It is very important to respect that the style is ancestral, and that the teachings surrounding the style are sacred to Nancy's culture.”

Musselman developed the leadership and peer support course with a focus on the environment and increasing community involvement. First Nations’ Elder Jan Sherman visited the class earlier in the school year and shared her indigenous teachings on leadership and more.


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Barb McKechnie

About the Author: Barb McKechnie

Barb McKechnie is a Guelph-based freelance writer with a passion for local lore.
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