A new art project was unveiled at Mission’s West Heights Community Elementary School last week.
Just under 50 people came to the ceremony at the school’s gym, while students and families were able to watch live from home on Zoom.
The school-wide community art project was created by students, staff and parents who created a single tile piece of the overall concept.
“Each tile represents something important to each individual who took the time to create their own individual tile,” explained principal Mikel Brogan. “Each tile encompassed some form of our schools core values which are being kind, safe, respectful and responsible.”
Each tile echoes the Seven Sacred teachings which embody the spirit of Reconciliation which Brogan said is “important to our school community. We unveiled the project so to coincide with our National Indigenous People’s day which was on June 21.”
Brogan’s parents, artists Marina Papais and Daniel Collett, donated hundreds of hours of their time in creating this project.
“Also, we would like to thank Chief Johnny Williams for being the inspiration behind the Thunderbird design that centers the project.”
He also thanked Chris Gawthorn (the school’s Indigenous Liaison Worker) and Ky Bury for lighting the project.
“In general, this was a true community project that took everyone coming together to help it come to fruition. This falls in line with our belief that it truly takes a community to raise a child.”
