Students recognize truth, reconciliation through art

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This article was published 29/09/2021 (1184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From kindergarten to Grade 8, students at Meadows School on Wednesday morning worked together on a special art project in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Each classroom was assigned one of the Seven Sacred Teachings, and students used the Indigenous art form of pointillism to create their own piece. The teachings are each symbolized by an animal: Love (eagle), respect (buffalo), courage (bear), honesty (sabe/sasquatch), wisdom (beaver), humility (wolf) and truth (turtle).

“Today, we are concentrating on celebrating (Indigenous) culture,” said guidance counsellor Alicia DeDecker. There are larger posters representing each of the seven teachings, which will be surrounded by smaller ones to create meaningful murals throughout the school.

“It will all come together to make a really large school art project that we can display on our walls in recognition of the day,” DeDecker said.

Wednesday was orange shirt day at Meadows, and students and staff alike were donning the bright T-shirts as a symbol that “Every Child Matters.” In front of the school is a memorial for the children who lost their lives at residential schools, with orange hearts, shoes and stuffed animals on display.

Grade 8 student Kale Jones created a footprint representing honesty. He said it took him about three art classes to complete the detailed painting, using Q-tips and dots. Kendra Grift, who’s also in Grade 8, created a wolf and said it was interesting to learn about the symbolism and the Indigenous art technique.

Norah Pieroni’s Grade 5/6 students also had the sabe or sasquatch. She spoke to them about the importance of being proud, being yourself and living with integrity.

“Also talking about truth and reconciliation, and what it means,” she said. “Truth is what happened, and reconciliation is what we would like to do, quickly. We went through the [Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] … calls to action and there’s a time limit. We want it within this generation — and everyone can play a part.”

Talking about Canada’s history of residential schools and marking Truth and Reconciliation Week is important for everybody — Indigenous and non-Indigenous, Pieroni added.

In the multicultural school, Pieroni said, they want everyone to feel seen, appreciated and important.

“Things might be hard in any situation, but we’re trying to have a positive attitude and right the wrongs. Everybody has power, and treat everybody fairly.”

The art project is just one part of this week’s events at Meadows School. On Tuesday, a special presentation was shown, along with a video that was prepared for a virtual assembly. Staff members met Kevin Tacan, an Indigenous knowledge keeper, as well as Indigenous youth leaders.

“Pre-COVID, we may have even taken the kids out there, but we have to kind of think outside the box to make sure that they’re getting the same messages delivered in their safe school environment,” DeDecker said.

A video was filmed, discussing the history of the site, inter-generational trauma and how to move forward in a positive way. The video also included an Indigenous dance at the Brandon University teepees, performed by a Meadows student.

Principal Dave Lim said due to COVID-19, they had to think of different ways to mark this important week, as previously they would host large assemblies with performers brought in.

“To come up with a plan to do it virtually and go to a location and have the people tell their personal stories, it was very moving,” he said. “And for me, I learned so much from it, and I’m sure our school community did, too.”

Lim said the hope is that these types of events help to create a sense of belonging for all Meadows students.

“It helps create that sense of community and that sense of belonging, that other students understand their story more.”

DeDecker said another important aspect is to share what it means to be a non-Indigenous ally. She hopes all students had a moment of connection in the presentation, and take time to reflect during the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

She added that opening up conversations like this with students is important, “even though they’re hard and even though they’re heavy for some of our young kids.”

Allowing students to ask pointed questions in a safe environment is meaningful, and the goal is to “answer them appropriately in ways that they can understand and ways that honour the Indigenous culture.”

» Jillian Austin is a Local Journalism Initiative freelance writer and a real estate agent with Century 21 Westman Realty.

» jillianaustin.news@gmail.com

» Twitter: @jillianaustin