At St. Mary’s College (SMC), an old, unused wall has been transformed into a powerful 9-foot-tall and 18-foot-wide statement of culture, resilience, and community. Unveiled within the school’s Indigenous Culture Room, the new Woodland-style mural celebrates Indigenous culture and values. Created by a dedicated group of students, including members of the Indigenous Student Union, and guided by local Anishinaabe artist Lucia Laford, the project began in October 2024 and has since turned the space into what many students now call home.

The project began with teachings. “The first thing we did was talk about the Seven Grandfather Teachings,” said Lucia Laford. “We talked about smudging, drumming, and culture.” These initial talks laid the groundwork not just for the art but for a very extensive cultural interaction.

Students brainstormed themes of kindness, friendship, and healing, but also discussed more serious topics: loss, identity, and the journey of self-discovery. 

“We also talked about some of the harder themes that we have to deal with, especially as Indigenous people,” Laford explained. “We talked about loss. We talked about finding our path despite some of the awkward and scary things that we face.”

These discussions helped set the tone for the mural project, providing valuable insight into what students hoped to see represented. It also encouraged a more open and collaborative dialogue, allowing students to share their ideas, perspectives, and creative visions freely.

“We asked the students, ‘What do you want to say? What do you want to see in the mural?’” said Laford. “They wrote about animals, symbols, and stories that mattered to them. My job was to assist with putting it all together. But it was them — their hands, voices, and stories.”

All aspects of the mural — from the eagle to birds, sweat lodge and even butterflies — are symbolic. There are dancers in jingle dresses, medicines, clan animals, water walkers, and even an angry moose. The angry moose was not intended, but one student expressed that they liked how it looked and how it added to the piece. 

“I didn’t want an angry moose initially,” Laford laughed. “But the students taught me that it’s okay to show that emotion — that anger can be present in healing too.”

Students didn’t just paint the mural, they prepared it, measured it and perfected it. Over 60 different colours were used, each one building on top of the other to ensure durability. “It was difficult work,” Laford admitted. “But the students kept returning. They cared.”

For the students involved, the mural project was more than just a school assignment. It was a journey of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and artistic expression, culminating in a powerful symbol of their resilience and unity.

“It was fun learning more about my culture and being a part of something that’s here forever,” a student commented. Another said, “We have a new thing to look at, a beautiful thing in fact that has many stories behind many people getting paint all over their hands and clothes. I can hear the laughter within the wall.”

Students also expressed how everyone got along with each other, and it was easy to speak about what was on their minds, and how more connected they feel with their culture and who they are. 

“The mural has truly made the culture room a relaxed, spiritual place. It makes the room feel more like home,” expressed one student. “It makes me feel more connected.”

The mural project was not just about painting a wall. It was a learning experience that equipped students with new skills and perspectives. 

“I definitely learned new skills,” shared one student. “Some of them include the process of designing a mural, how to properly paint walls, and it helped me develop my small talk and networking skills.”

“This mural formed a support network for our students,” said Indigenous Graduation Coach, Shannan Flint. “I truly believe that our youth have a lot of struggles in education, but I think the best thing that we can do is to help them engage with their culture. Help them to learn about who they are and build up their self-esteem and that confidence, and once they have that, the sky is the limit.”

Students called the mural a badge of honour. All agreed that it made them feel proud to be Indigenous.

As Laford summarized, “This mural holds everyone’s energy. If students were here for an hour or the whole project. You can see it in every brushstroke. That’s what makes it strong.”

Today, the culture room is no longer just a school room, but a legacy of learning, connection, and healing — created by youth, for youth.