School gets First Nations face-lift

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Vancouver's Sir William Macdonald Elementary School is getting a First nations face-lift. Over the next two weeks, the 88-year-old school's main entrance will see new life, shedding its dull brown brick for a collage of vibrant colours - an elaborate traditional Westcoast design and the work of renown Haisla artist and Master Carver, Henry Robertson.

Macdonald School, located in a predominantly First Nations area in Vancouver's East Side, has a student population of 259, of which 50 per cent are First Nations.

"The significance of this art work," said teacher Norine Colvin, "is to help raise self-esteem among the students here, to make them feel proud of their culture, and for them to be able to watch and learn from Mr. Robertson."

The soon-to-be completed artwork is part of the school's second annual First Nations Festival, running June 7 - 9. Last year, teachers and students celebrated the Year of the Indigenous People by hosting a two-week long First Nations Festival - complete with workshops, field trips, performance art, craft and a closing feast.

"It was a learning experience for the students - to teach them about Native culture, says Colvin.

"It was also to educate the community, to let them know that First Nations students are here," adds Evens Stewart, a First Nations home-school worker with the Vancouver School board. "We want to broaden people's knowledge of Native culture and traditions," said Stewart. "This is sort of a spin-off from that."

This year's Festival is, in part, embracing the United Nations - declared Year of the Family. It seems appropriate then, that two of Robertson's grandchildren attend Macdonald School and that he has titled his school design "The Cycle of Life."

A stream of colorful salmon will arc over the entrance way symbolizing their journey up river from life to death to life again, explains Mr. Robertson.

"Everything depends on the salmon for life," he says. "Mammals, animals and humans. The design will blend together all of those things: the seal, sea lions, killer whale, grizzly bear, black bear, an eagle and two humans."

An eagle's head, carved out of yellow cedar, will look out from atop the archway. The rest of the artwork will be etched into the brick with a drill and then painted. When completed, the art pieced will measure approximately six metres high by three metres wide.

Displaying his work on the front of Macdonald School holds significance for the 69-year-old artist. Robertson, who has been carving since he was 10, reflects back to his days as a young student at Port Alberni residential school - a time he remembers as being "really tough."

"I tried to continue my carving at school, but (the teachers) wouldn't let me," he said. "They beat me up for carving and for speaking my language. See this," he said, pulling back his speckled grey and black hair from his forehead to reveal a white scar. "This is what I got for speaking my...for being Native."

It was after that incident, when Robertson vowed he would never give up his art and culture.

"I secretly kept carving," he said. "I kept thinking, when I get out of school, I'm going to bring my art and culture to the people."

Like the salmon, Robertson's life has been a journey from light to dark to light again. Today, almost half a century since his own school days, he is able to openly share his carving, his art and his culture with an inner city elementary school. And this time - with pride and dignity.

Macdonald school plans to honour Robertson with a traditional feast following the official unveiling and dedication ceremony on June 9.

Festival organizers anticipate a turn-out of close to 1,000 people and hoping to raise about $4,000 to cover costs. Anyone wishing to donate food or help with funding can call Norine Colvin or Audrey Toshkenig at 255-5174. A tax receipt will be issued upon receipt.