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Native grads give present to seniors

Article Origin

Author

Jocelyn Stoebel, Sweetgrass Writer, Lac La Biche

Volume

5

Issue

9

Year

1998

Page 2

Graduates of the Native Artisan Program at Lac La Biche's Alberta Vocational College completed their school year with an act of goodwill.

A large mural depicting a traditional feast was hand-crafted by the six graduates of the program.

Students Gloria Bearhead, Patrina DeBruyne, Jackie Rennie, Mae Cardinal, Christine Lapratt and Patsy Jackson, presented the mural to the local seniors home.

Each year students complete a piece of commissioned artwork for donation to an organization. The project is an opportunity for students to practice completing a commissioned work before going out on their own.

When the time came for students to complete their year end project, the LacAlta Lodge seniors centre was selected, explained Native Cultural Arts staff member Theresa Houle.

The hand-crafted mural was a three-week project from start to finish.

LacAlta Lodge manager Lorraine Turgeon explained that they wanted a large mural for a space in the lodge's dining room. The theme of the project would be a traditional Native feast.

After the initial consultation, the six students worked together to plan and create the final mural which measures about two meters square.

Graduate Gloria Bearhead explained that much research was done to determine what would be appropriate and important to include in a scene of a traditional Native feast. Initially she said it was difficult, but it finally came together.

The group incorporated a feast in a traditional camp setting by a river, depicting all elements of the family from children to Elders.

The mural, worked on co-operatively by the students, was hand-crafted with various fabrics, and tanned hide. The students used the many skills they learned throughout the course.

LacAlta Manager Lorraine Turgeon is very pleased with the mural which now hangs in the dining room of the lodge.

"It is wonderful," she said. "It has been a real conversation piece."