Indigenous mural with four sections depicting Indigenous well-being, medicine and health

Indigenous Mural Initiative

After months of collaborative planning, engaging with Elders and community members, sketching and painting, the Indigenous mural is ready!

The mural is located on the Foothills campus in the Health Sciences Centre above the Feasby Student Lounge. The official unveiling was held on September 29, 2022 and validated by a sacred ceremony hosted by Elders.

We wish to thank everyone who worked to ensure a smooth installation of this mural, and a special thank you to the artists who created this beautiful and vibrant piece of art.

Sean Smith, Stingray Pictures

The Calgary Arts Development Authority, City of Calgary and the Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary have come together to fund an Indigenous arts initiative. Driving this initiative is the desire to showcase more visual arts pieces which reflect Indigenous culture, tradition and storytelling which could influence policy and decision making by challenging us to think differently.

This is an opportunity for an Indigenous artist mentor and artist mentees to create a large mural for display above the Feasby Student Lounge in the Cumming School of Medicine. This mural will give Indigenous artists residing within the Treaty 7 region (Blackfoot Confederacy, Tsuut’tina, Stoney Nakoda, and Métis) a space to express their perspectives on inclusion, health and healing. And to create a space that is welcoming to and inclusive of Indigenous peoples.

Art can function as a basic form of communication regardless of language and background to influence the health of individuals and society. It holds a transformative power that extends beyond the visual aspect of an art piece and can offer connection and insight into larger societal questions and concerns. This is an opportunity for everyone to learn through artistic expression every time they pass the mural. This initiative will inspire us to challenge our preconceived notions of history and memory, and generate conversations around new ways of thinking and feeling.

Watch a video overview of the project.

Questions about the project can be directed to the Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office.

This arts initiative is in alignment with the Cumming School of Medicine’s Indigenous Health Dialogue recommendations for appropriate engagement and inclusion, and with principles of ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy. We look forward to engaging with the Indigenous community, academic community and arts community throughout this process.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Calgary Arts Development Authority, the City of Calgary, the University of Calgary Students’ Union Quality Money Program, the Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office, the Cumming School of Medicine and Alberta Union of Provincial Employees - Local 52, University of Calgary Support Staff.

Meet the Artists

Mural artists Sikomh Kokomii, Kamâmak, Suwatâga-Mu and bb iskwew were chosen by a selection committee including representatives from UCalgary and local Indigenous Elders. Each artist will weave elements of traditional medicinal and wellness practices as advised by Elders, community members and project team members representing Métis and First Nations of Treaty 7 into the final mural.