A crosswalk recently painted at Salmon Arm Secondary marks part of journey shared by students towards reconciliation.
Created by the Sullivan campus student group YV4R (Youth Voice for Reconciliation) along the gate off of 30th Street NE, the crosswalk includes "weykt," the Secwepemcts铆n word for "welcome," along the lane leading onto the school property, and "me7w铆ksti," meaning "see you," on the way out.
Chinook McLean, who facilitated the extra-curricular YV4R lunchtime group along with fellow Indigenous education staff member Chelsey Hill, explained the crosswalk at the confluence of the school is intended to promote cultural safety at SAS and physical safety for everyone.
Other Reconciliation Confluence Project artworks can be found at the gate, including the gate guard coyote, painted by Grade 11 student Janessa Wilson from Lytton First Nation, and at the school's main entrance.
"The crosswalk and circles gave YV4R a space to bring more Indigenous knowledge and awareness into our school," said Grade 11 student Emerson Lawless, a M茅tis, in a media release shared by McLean. "However, these art projects also gave us a place to share a part of our own history."
McLean noted the project artwork included elements of M茅tis culture including a sash and flower beading.
The Reconciliation Confluence Project was born from a question posed at the first circle meeting of the YV4R group last fall: "What does Reconciliation mean to you?" McLean said answers planted the seeds for conversations, ideas and connections that would guide the group for the rest of the school year.
"One of the succinct answers shared that afternoon was that 'Reconciliation feels like this,'" said McLean. "'This' was the gathering of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and staff, who took turns sharing with and listening to each other. Some on chairs, some on the floor and some leaning against tables. All invited to the circle. All respected. Some circumspect, soft spoke or just a little bit tongue-tied. Others more eloquent. Fiery even. Speaking truth."
In early 2024, the YV4R group received an Arists in Classrooms grant for its Reconciliation Confluence Project, with School District 83 and the Salmon Arm M茅tis Association also contributing funding.
The project, said McLean, was created in response to the following question: "How can visual representation of values and concerns relating to, and important to, Indigenous youth today promote prompt reconciliation at, and within the confluence of the school, land and community?" She said further guidance and inspiration for the project came from Secw茅pemc, other First Nation and M茅tis Knowledge Keepers and artists throughout the school year including John Sayers, Dodie Jones, Dr. Meredith Rusk, Linda August and John Jones. McLean also recognized Chelsea Prince, SD83's director of instruction-Indigenous education, for providing integral support from YV4R's inception, and Indigenous education principal Kristen Crawford for continuing the trend of "enthusiasm and encouragement for the inclusive group."
Emerson noted that as a collective group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and staff, YV4R was able to work with "amazing artists like John Sayers" and "learn and talk with the many Knowledge Keepers who were willing to come and share with us."
For a field trip in June, National Indigenous History Month, YV4R expanded to include not only Grade 11 and 12 mentor students, but also mentee students from four other district schools. Together they visited the Quilakwa kekulis on Splatsin land in Enderby. McLean said youth from Grades 5 to 12 listened to and learned from stories shared by Knowledge Keeper John Jones inside the pit house, and attempted pine-needle weaving under the tutelage of John's sister, retired SD83 Indigenous education worker Dodie Jones.
"It was pretty awesome that the idea that we could involve younger Indigenous students within the district became a real thing," commented Grade 12 student Aurora Johnny, a member of the Adams Lake Band who came up with the mentorship idea along with Secw茅pemc Grade 11 student Callum August. "I know they really appreciated it and felt important, which is something the older Indigenous students felt like (we) lacked growing up in the district."
McLean said the countless students, staff and parents connected to YV4R contributed to the art project in numerous ways, from non-Indigenous Grade 12 student Molly Dickson sweeping the pavement at the gates in preparation of the painting, to supply runs, ideas, car rides and moral support.
"We had a voice," said Aurora of the project. "I think it's really awesome that YV4R was student led. Super cool for the ego and great representation."
