An exhausted warrior on horseback as a silhouette against the brightness of a setting sun draws you to a new mural in North Battleford, Sask.
The mural on the Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre honours the rich culture and traditions of First Nations and was brought to life with the help of the Co-op Communities in Full Colour Program.
“The program provides a great way for our Co-op to connect with local groups and tell our community we care,” said Matt Smith, Hardware Manager at the Discovery Co-op Home Centre in the city.
“The mural was an opportunity to make something from nothing. Young, local talent got to take a blank slate and turn it into something meaningful.”
Three Indigenous youths from communities surrounding the Battlefords area painted the first three vignettes of a 2,400-square-foot mural in 2017 with more vignettes being added in 2018 and 2019.
Azby Whitecalf of Sweetgrass, Sask., painted four of the scenes including a depiction of a young girl with her smudge bowl praying to the spirit animals.
“All my murals have very simplified figures,” Whitecalf explained. “I was very inspired by other native artists such as Simone McLeod. McLeod inspired my second mural with two figures sitting around a campfire, while smoke resembles a wolf…. I like to hear everyone’s own interpretation of it.”
There is also a mural that serves as a basic Cree language lesson, depicting a family and their kinship titles as well as the Cree words for the objects in the mural. Other murals depict the northern lights, which represent people that have passed dancing, a kokum picking berries and a figure sitting on the ground where flowers are growing to represent personal growth.
The goal of the project was more than improving the look of the health centre and pride in the community.
“This is a positive way to share more about First Nations culture between our people and all our neighours that have come to live with us,” said Chief Wayne Semaganis, Chief of Little Pine First Nation and board chair of the health centre.
The health centre also wanted to provide an opportunity for local youth, who gain confidence and pride knowing their collaboration will beautify and change the community for the better.
“Youth who grow up with confidence and a strong sense of pride in their culture and community have significantly increased chances of becoming healthy adults,” said Herb Sutton, City of North Battleford Community Safety Coordinator/Battlefords Detachment RCMP Community Program Coordinator.
“This art mural project is an excellent tool to develop those characteristics. Thanks to Battle River Treaty 6 for providing this wonderful opportunity.”
Discovery Co-op donated 24 gallons of exterior paint as well as provided paint applicators and accessories for the mural.
