A group of Morley teens will have the opportunity to work with a renowned artist in the community to create a school mural project.
Grade 8 and 9 students from Morley Community School will paint a sundance-themed mural, supported by Shell Canada, in the school’s atrium. Roland Rollinmud, an elder who graduated from the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity back in the 1980s, will direct the fledgling artists.
The theme of a sundance – a community gathering of dance to pray for healing where individuals make personal sacrifices on behalf of the community – is a means to educate and promote cultural ceremonies and help students embrace Nakoda identity.
The students kickstarted the project gathering for a circle ceremony in a tipi set up in the school’s atrium on March 13.
Rollinmud said his vision for the roughly 10-foot wide mural is horses running from the left end toward a nest on the right, imagery that represents origins of the sundance ceremony.
He said the project is a means to restoring Stoney culture and passing it on to Nation youth. Rollinmud added it is also a way to bridge mainstream education with First Nations culture.
“We need that. We have to continue and pass it on, that’s the way through. With this mural, that’s my plan; to pass it on to the young generation,” Rollinmud said.
It will be the third time Rollinmud has contributed to art in the atrium. Two murals he worked on in the past are currently displayed in the space. The artist has been commissioned for various art projects over the years, some of which were sponsored by major oil and gas companies.
Rollinmud will also be a part of the judging of the Calgary Stampede 2019 art posters, a competition open to 15 to 24 year olds and he encourages Morley School students to participate.
Sheri Macaulay, the school’s art teacher, said she is excited to help guide the students in the project along with Rollinmud.
“I love the project because they get to work with a master painter, especially someone from the community, so they have that role model mentor.”
Macaulay is currently working on her masters at the University of Calgary and is using the project to fit into her capstone project.
“Basically, this project is Roland‘s vision and I am working behind the scenes to ensure the students have some rich experiences along the way such as the opening circle ceremony and teaching in our tipi and later trips out to some sacred sites to enrich the learning,” Macaulay said.
The students are gearing up to be part of the school’s history as well.
“It means a lot to me,” said Crystal Wesley, a Grade 8 student, regarding being part of the project. “In art, we are just sketching things for Roland.”
Rendene Snow, another Grade 8 student, added it was Rollinmud’s art that inspired her to take part.
The group of students will be taken on field trips to significant areas including the Cave and Basin in Banff as part of the experience.
