Young local artists are being recognized for their thoughtful contributions in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.
Students in grades 5 to 12 entered a contest launched by the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority to design artwork for the national day, which honours survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned home.
Health authority staff and community partners reviewed 49 submissions from across the region and selected three winning entries.
Local winners included Kiana, 16, from Fisher Branch, and Baby Harmony, 15, from Dauphin River First Nation. The third winner was Ellia, 13, from Oakbank. Their designs are available for download by IERHA staff to use as backgrounds for computer desktops, cellphones and virtual meetings.
Kiana’s poster depicts a child with a red handprint stamped over the face, surrounded by cultural images of animals.
“As a Métis, I made this artwork after reading a book in history class about a person that went to residential school,” she wrote in her artist’s statement. “I made her hair short because they cut her hair and also included the seven teachings.”
Ellia’s artwork features a dreamcatcher with the words “truth and reconciliation” encircling it.
“I chose to include a feather and use the colour orange to honour Indigenous people on Sept. 30,” Ellia said.
Baby Harmony’s design includes a sun, orange handprint, orange ribbon, school building, trees and the words: “They call it a school but it was the place for stolen children, stolen voices. The handprint is what is left and what it still speaks. Truth first, then reconciliation.”
Sept. 30 is a national day to reflect on the history and lasting impacts of residential schools and colonial policies on Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and to honour Survivors, their families and communities.
Adam Sanderson, IERHA’s director of Indigenous Health, said the contest reflects the importance of youth engagement in reconciliation.
“We commend these young artists on their interpretation of reconciliation through their artwork,” Sanderson said. “On this day and every day, let’s take time to learn, reflect and actively respond to racism and take action toward creating a health-care system rooted in respect, understanding and true partnership for the communities we serve.”
In honour of the day, all IERHA clinics and laboratories will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 30.
