A powerful new art installation by Xwalacktun (Rick Harry) now graces the foyer of Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
There will be a ceremony for the renowned Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) artist's Orange Shirts piece at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, which is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Previously, it is also known as Orange Shirt Day.
The federally-recognized day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools.
This event will follow the annual march to Junction Park & O'Siyam Pavilion that afternoon.
Harry's piece, which took about three months from start to finish, has a reimagining of the Canadian flag, with two orange t-shirts on either side.
The shirts signify Orange Shirt Day, which was started by Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, who is Northern Secwpemc from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation. When Webstad was six years old in 1973, she went to school in Mission wearing a shiny new orange shirt that she was very proud of.
It was taken from her, and she never saw it again.
"The colour orange has always reminded me of that and how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and how I felt like I was worth nothing," Webstad has said.
She founded and is the ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society. She now travels the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the residential school system.
Harry represents her in his piece.
"She's been through a lot and witnessed a lot of tears and crying," he said. "I have her — a picture of a female person — with a tear coming out of her eye."
There is also an image of a button blanket.
"Because in our culture with blankets, when we wrap somebody, we're honouring them. We're caring for them. And we're giving them love and comfort in that. So I have a blanket going around her."
On the blanket are a killer whale and a bear symbolizing power and strength, according to Harry.
"So that she can carry on," he said, adding the images reflect all children and "Every Child Matters."
On each side of the blanket are seven abalone buttons.
Abalone symbolizes wealth; having seven buttons represents the seven generations of the future.
"We always have to look forward to all seven generations — whatever we have now, they should have," Harry said.
As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process and the 94 Calls to Action, it is also said that it will take seven generations to heal from the trauma done by residential schools, Harry added.
Also in the painting are eagles that are watching over us and witnessing, Harry said.
“Symboliz[ing] that new vision that we're all leaning towards in truth and reconciliation,” he said.
Inside the Canadian maple leaf, there is a thunderbird.
"Its hands are kind of going up. It almost looks like it is saying, 'Oh, wait! Let's look at this picture and represent all of Canada,'" Harry explained.
Then there is what looks like a yield sign with a boy and girl inside it.
"We really have to care for them," Harry said, adding that viewers of the piece will likely get more out of their own interpretations.
The pieces can be moved if need be for the rec centre renovations.
Harry said he is glad the last few years have seen more talk of truth and reconciliation.
"I'm glad that it's going across Canada," he said. "First Nations people didn't do anything wrong to reconcile. But the reconciliation has come more from the Canadian side. That's why I made the flag kind of idea happening....it takes all of us to work on it to move forward."
Harry and Glenne Campbell received a Squamish Arts public art grant for the project. This funding is awarded by the District of Squamish to Squamish Arts through the Community Enhancement Grant Program.
“Having the opportunity to work with Xwalacktun on the Orange Shirts has been an experience of cultural sharing and learning,” said Glenne Campbell.
“I sincerely hope the 94 Calls to Action towards Truth and Reconciliation are continued to be adopted and actioned by individuals, organizations, corporations and governments.”
