The Onaman Collective was founded in November 2014 by Christi Belcourt, Isaac Murdoch and Erin Konsmo. The collective seeks to empower Indigenous youth through the creation of art and preservation of Indigenous language and traditions.

This past March, Belcourt and Murdoch traveled to St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Brampton, ON where they led a mural-making workshop based on Jiignong Aadsookaan, or the Sacred Fisher Story. The legend tells of a group of animals that attempt to undo the environmental damage caused by the destructive and greedy habits of the ‘two-leggeds,’ and carries a special message about environmental sustainability and maintaining a healthy relationship with Mother Earth.

About 100 students participated in the project, which was spearheaded by Jodie Williams, the school’s head of alternative education and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies. She says, « We’ve seen kids who were not engaged in school come to life in this project – even spending time after regular school hours helping paint the murals… »

The 4-piece mural is intended to be portable so it can be displayed at various locations and events outside the school. « We want this message to get out and inspire others, » says Williams. « The idea is that it doesn’t get stuck here on the wall and it’s shared. »

The Onaman Collective has more events planned for the coming months, including a canoe-building and Anishinaabemowin immersion project in July and a follow-up to Anishinaabemowin Wiigwaam: Language House this fall. Visit their website for more info.

– Cora-Rae Silk, Indigenous Community Arts Coordinator

SOURCES:
http://anishinabeknews.ca/2015/03/17/mural-helps-promote-value-of-indigenous-knowledge/
http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/5468809-students-fish-for-help-saving-the-environment-with-folk-tale-mural/

Posted with permission from Christi Belcourt / Photos courtesy of The Onaman Collective
Read The Onaman Collective’s profile on ArtBridges’ Community-engaged Arts Directory and Map