Indian residential school survivors to be honoured through Saskatoon Tribal Council and University of Saskatchewan partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 15, 2013 2013-03-21-AR Saskatoon - The Department of Art and Art History in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) announced a partnership today to create several pieces of art honouring residential school survivors.

"The residential school story and experiences need to be told, understood and remembered. The art created by this project will reflect this and keep the stories alive. The project and art will also act as an important educational and public awareness tool now, and into the future," STC Tribal Chief Felix Thomas said.
Participating students will have the opportunity to take part in workshops and will hear Elders' stories and recollections of the residential school experience. Students will then express the stories and their emotions behind the stories through their art. The resulting piece(s) will serve as a memorial to residential school survivors, inter-generational survivors and the lost children of the residential schools.
"This partnership is unique in that it gives both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students the chance to work together in reflection and learning," said Susan Shantz, department head in the Department of Art and Art History. "They will then have the opportunity to translate their new understanding into meaningful artistic symbols."
The resulting artwork will be installed in a prominent Saskatoon location. In addition, replicas of the work will be shared to the seven member nations of the STC and will serve as a symbol of hope and healing.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Dawn Deguire
Saskatoon Tribal Council
(306) 956-6118
ddeguire@sktc.sk.ca
Teri Rosenfelt
University Advancement
(306) 966-5659
teri.rosenfelt@usask.ca

Share this story