The mural is located on the urban reserve in downtown La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
work complete

Mural illustrates tri-community’s commitment to reconciliation

Sep 13, 2019 | 4:57 PM

A mural representing the tri-community’s commitment to reconciliation was completed Friday and can be seen at the urban reserve in downtown La Ronge.

“It was a beautiful day out and we got all the panels up, which felt great,” La Ronge Arts Council board member Alexis Reichert said. “It’s right downtown where people can see it on the old residential school grounds in this meaningful place. It’s really special.”

The idea for such a project was born out of a five-session Reconciliation Through Arts series, which began in January 2018 and included a range of Indigenous artists. The series was made possible through a partnership with the arts council and the Alex Robertson Public Library and facilitated by Miriam Körner. Reichert stated the sessions attracted large numbers of residents and created a space where people could come together and share stories amongst each other.

“At the time, a lot of it was Colten Boushie and the trial and everything going on,” she said. “The result of that was very difficult for a lot of people to deal with, so to have a place where people can come and speak openly about how they were feeling about that, was really important.”

After the series concluded, participants wanted to increase awareness, so the arts council hired Allen Morrow to come up with a design out of the ideas discussed. The panels were then painted by students at Churchill Community High School and Senator Myles Venne School, as well as members of the public during the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s cultural gathering last month. In total, Reichert estimates more than 100 people were involved in the mural’s creation.

Reichert mentioned the mural should remind local residents and visitors that La Ronge is a vibrant community with a lot going on. It should also remind the public that there is creativity and love going into the downtown core, and that tri-community residents care about the region and each other.

There are four sides to the mural all together. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“I think something like community artwork can do all of that. It can also be an inspiration to people to create similar things,” Reichert said. “To finally see it all come together is inspiring because it’s truly been a community project.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

View Comments