Mural dedicated to children who attended residential schools

A newly completed mural in Selkirk, Manitoba is looking to start conversations about the legacy of residential schools in Canada.

Called Mashkawigaabawid Abinoojiiyag, or Stand Strong Children, the project is a collaboration between a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. It was designed by Jordan Stranger, an artist from the Peguis First Nation, and features four huge 3.6-metre (11.8-foot) by 12-metre (39.3-foot) panels.

Each panel tells a story about life for Indigenous People in Canada, before, during, and after residential schools. It even imagines what the future could hold.

In an interview with CBC, Stranger said that his grandparents went to residential schools and that through their experience, "I learned a lot about myself, about the importance of culture, and how important it is to keep it and make sure that people can see it." He continued, "I want to be able to honour [my family] and give them something."

Working together

This mural definitely puts Indigenous culture on display, giving people the chance to think about the terrible legacy of residential schools. It also puts something else on display.

The power of collaboration.

According to Jeannie Red Eagle, one of the project leaders who also spoke with CBC, "If we can do this in public art, we can do that within our community. We can do that within our homes. We can do that in our neighbourhoods."

Listen to the artists talk about what the project means to them in the video below.