St. Thomas Aquinas High School

In a beautiful fusion of art and culture, a mural celebrating Indigenous heritage now graces the walls of the Music Room at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Painted by former student artist Kitana Blackhawk and her team during her senior year in 2022, the mural has finally found its place as a centerpiece of cultural representation in the school.

The initiative for this mural came from the school's music teacher, Mr. Darcy Ura, who reached out to Kitana with a unique suggestion. Inspired by the documentary Rumble - The Indians Who Rocked the World. Directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, Rezolution Pictures, 2017. Mr. Ura encouraged Kitana to draw inspiration from the documentary and create a mural that pays honour to Indigenous music and culture. Kitana, who is both an art and music enthusiast, embraced the challenge.

Reflecting on her journey, Kitana shared, "I thought that it was a nice gesture because there is a lot of indigenous representation at TA, and I wanted to represent them as much as I can." She dedicated approximately 4.5 months to meticulously planning and sketching the mural, ensuring that every detail captured the essence of Indigenous heritage.

The mural, created in a Pop Art style, reflects Kitana’s dedication and artistic talent. It features contemporary Indigenous musical artists showcased in the documentary alongside local and Canadian talents. For Kitana, the mural is more than just a painting; it's a celebration of Indigenous voices and a medium for dialogue and awareness.

"In the documentary, it features a lot of contemporary Indigenous musical artists. They were so inspiring," Kitana remarked. "For me, this mural is all about celebrating Indigenous culture and voices by showcasing Indigenous art and music together. I hope it starts conversations and raises awareness about diversity and Indigenous heritage."

Mr. Ura, reflecting on the significance of the project, emphasized the importance of cultural representation and dialogue within the school community. "For the last 15 years or so, we have been trying to come up with ways to beautify the music room and make it an inviting space for students and community," he shared. "Part of reconciliation is to have non-Indigenous students see and experience Indigenous culture so it continues the dialogue."

Kitana navigated the details of creating a commission piece, developing her leadership skills as she assembled a team of fellow student artists to bring the mural to life. The Music Room, a space filled with fond memories for Kitana, now stands transformed into a vibrant hub of cultural exchange and appreciation.

As Kitana continues her artistic journey at the Ontario College of Art & Design University, majoring in drawing and painting with a focus on Indigenous Visual Culture, her mural stands as a testament to the power of art in fostering understanding and unity within communities. With each stroke of the brush, she reminds us that every effort, no matter how big or small, contributes to the steps of reconciliation and celebration of diversity and inclusion.