Southview Public School honoured Haudenosaunee stories and symbols through the creation of murals in the school. Southview P.S. is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek and the Haudenosaunee.
Students, staff, and community gathered recently to thank local Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community members, artists and Southview students for the creation of permanent murals honouring the traditional stories and symbols of the Haudenosaunee as well as relationships with the Anishinaabek Nation and culture.
Local artist Diio Hagen and Indigenous community members Crystal Loft and Mandy Smart worked with two Grade 4 classes sharing stories and imagery to celebrate Haudenosaunee stories. The murals are 22’ x 4’ and 30’ x 4’. The murals offer an entry point to learning rather than a complete story and students heard from Indigenous community members who provided more details and insight.
The project was supported through a grant from the Ontario Power Workers’ Union.