First step in strengthening of relationship
Champlain College Saint-Lambert unveiled a new permanent mural at the front of the school that was created by three students in the Indigenous Student Ambassadors (ISA) group, in collaboration with art therapist Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte (left). Courtesy Champlain College Saint-Lambert
Champlain College Saint-Lambert has had a new look ever since October 1, with a new mural now adorning the school near the front entrance.
The mural was created over the summer by three Indigenous Champlain students from Kahnawake, Karonhiákwas Patton, Noah Atená:ti Kirby, and Jordyn McComber, with guidance from art therapist Megan Kanerahtenhá:wi Whyte.
Whyte said the invitation to participate in the creation of a mural came from Champlain’s student life councillor Elise Couture-Grondin, and after a few meetings, the concept of a collaborative mural was decided on.
“The intention was to begin making bridges between the college and the community to create safe spaces and opportunities for Indigenous students to thrive,” said Whyte.
In a joint text message, Kirby and Patton explained the vision behind the mural, named Otsirá:ke - meaning on the fire - which visually represents the Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen.
“The mural represents the foundation of our culture and way of life, the original instructions given all things at the beginning of time. The Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen became the focus after brainstorming how to best illustrate and represent what our Kanien’kehá:ka way of life reflects,” they said.
Whyte said the three students came up with the vision on their own, and Whyte was there to guide them through the process.
“The students felt sharing gratitude, the teachings and bringing connection to creation was the first place to start. This intention wraps around the art piece, framing the medicine in the middle. The seasons represented change and transition, with people from different nations being represented to celebrate interconnections and resilience,” said Whyte.
“This piece feels like an invitation to make space for indigenous students, to say “we see you and we are taking the steps to empower you.”
For Champlain’s Indigenous student life councillor Teioniehtathe Eli Hamelin, a visual representation of the Ohèn:ton Karihwatéhkwen being placed at the entrance of the school is hugely important and symbolic of the path forward in welcoming Indigenous students to the space, while also serving as a point of commonality with students from other cultures.
“It’s something that I think everybody really has in common, not only just our people, but other religions and other people in general, we always like to give thanks to the things we have, the things that are provided to us. To have our students have the idea to make the mural based on that moment, it’s such a cool thing,” said Hamelin.
“It’s such a meaningful part of our culture as well, being able to give thanks to everything on our Earth, and it’s just one of the coolest things I think I’ve ever seen.”
Hamelin emphasized how this was a good step for the college to take in strengthening relationships with the Indigenous students who do choose to go to Champlain.
“For a long time, many different schools and institutions didn’t really have too many things to represent our people. Being one of the first to have a mural be put up to recognize our students and the community and recognize that partnership that we have with the school, it was a really cool thing to finally be able to see it, and it’s an honour,” said Hamelin.
“This is a place where they have the support from not just the Indigenous students here, Indigenous staff members, but also the non-Indigenous students and the non-Indigenous staff members. They have the full support of the college. This college is welcoming our people. We’re not outsiders.”
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Jonathan Collin, the director of Student Services at Champlain, said that it was important for the college to do that.
“I see it as a necessary step to moving forward with the community and creating important links for students who don’t necessarily look at our college as a place that they would necessarily see themselves. Having and creating space for them to feel welcome, feel like it’s home, is extremely important for us, so we’re happy to do it. I think it’s a great step forward,” said Collin.
“I think it’s huge, and it’s really encouraging for me as a new director of Student Services to see that it’s making a difference for our students and our whole population, really enjoy it. When we unveiled it, we had a big crowd out, and people were really happy to see it up there, which I think is a huge step forward.”
