Dixon Terbasket (Left) and Sheldon Louis (Right) speak to Grade 12 Art students at KSS about the impact of colonialism on Syilx culture.
Kelowna Senior Secondary Grade 12 Honors Art Students have a unique opportunity to create a mural exploring the subject of Settler/Indigenous relations.
Last Friday the art class listened to Syilx artist Sheldon Louis and Syilx activist Dixon Terbasket speak about the impact of colonialism on Indigenous culture, and the resilience of Indigenous people. The discussion will help inform the students’ vision for the mural. The entire mural process will be led by Mr. Louis, who has been involved in the creation of murals in the past, and is enjoying the recent success of a sold-out exhibition of his paintings at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
The mural project is a collaborative effort between KSS, UBCO, the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, and the Rethink150: Indigenous Truth Collective (which developed a series of events surrounding Canada’s sesquicentennial last year, to raise awareness of Indigenous perspectives regarding colonialism). The project is facilitated by local artist and MFA student Crystal Przybille, in her capacity as Academic Assistant at UBCO, working with professor Stephen Foster.
The mural project is supported by the UBC Community Engagement – Partnership Recognition Fund, and has received donations from individuals in the broader community through Rethink150: Indigenous Truth fundraising efforts. Paints and brushes were generously donated by Opus Art Supplies.
“Our hope,” said Dixon Terbasket “is that this project will help change the conversations around various tables. There has been a lot of prejudice towards Indigenous peoples in Canada, a lot of misunderstanding. The truth needs to be spoken, and with listening, this younger generation might be inspired to change things.”
“If I stood in the streets on a soapbox to speak the truth,” Sheldon Louis said, “People would pass by, closed off and offended. The power of art is that it gently opens people’s minds. They become curious, and initiate learning more about it.”
KSS art teacher, Timothy Mayer, welcomed the valuable and unique learning opportunity for his students to explore this important topic, while engaging directly in the creation of the intercultural mural with lead artist Sheldon Louis.
The mural will be exhibited in several venues this year, including the Fina Gallery at UBCO in May, and the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art window space throughout the last week of June.