St. Thomas Aquinas High School

The application also proposed a partnership between the young artists of STAHS and our Anishinaabe community beaders where certain imagery in the mural would be hand beaded by community beaders. The student proposal was accepted by the NCTR and they were awarded a $1000.00 grant to put toward the cost of the mural. As the mural grew, so did the number of students involved in the process.  The grant applicants painted as well as many other students at STAHS, upwards of 20 students. This first Truth and Reconciliation project spurred the creation of the FNMI Youth Council at STAHS whose mandate is to educate students on the process of Truth and Reconciliation as well as provide leadership opportunities and remove barriers for the FNMI Students to achieve their goals at STAHS. Community members who providing the beading included Anita Skead, Amey Skead, Melissa Skead, Marion Prince and Kim Sandy Kasprick. 

Elder, Ida Skead, provided a prayer/blessing and smudging of the finish mural while the St. Thomas Aquinas Drummers, Steve Fisher, Jason Williamson, Terry Parisien and Randy White provided drumming for the gathering. 



The mural, now proudly displayed in the foyer at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, cultural expression, and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.



Continue reading to discover the descriptions and inspirations behind each section of the mural.

Visual 1

The first painting depicts a small child being led away by an authority figure. The child is holding an Eagle’s Feather symbolizing First Nations, Metis and Inuit spiritual teachings. The Turtle is the animal that represents the truth. It is present to remind the viewer of the truth of this event being historically accurate. The time of year is September to commemorate “Crying Month.” September was referred to by some Elders as Crying Month because this was the time of year that their children were taken away from them for the school year.

Visual 2

The second painting represents St. Mary’s Residential School in Wauzhushk Onigam First Nation (Rat Portage).  The season has changed to winter. This is done to emphasize the months that residential school children were away from their homes as well as the coldness of the atmosphere of the school. The Eagle’s Feather lies outside the school to symbolize how First Nation, Metis and Inuit culture and spirituality was forbidden inside the school. The Raven sits in the tree to symbolize Honesty. Canadians are called to step forward and honestly tell the story of what took place in residential schools, instead of the untrue history that has been told in our history books.

Visual 3

The third painting memorializes the Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack story.  The Bear, the animal for bravery, represents Chanie’s bravery in trying to make his way home. The Bear in the winter scene, that should be safely in hibernation, sends the message that Chanie should never have been on the tracks. He did not belong in this situation.  The train represents the impending danger that Chanie did not realize when he began to walk home in October. Grandmother Moon watches over young Chanie as he walks 65 km along the railroad tracks. The Eagle’s Feather appearing on the tracks represents the First Nation, Metis and Inuit people and the loss of their children, rights and culture.

Visual 4

The fourth painting represents all who suffered trauma; the children who were taken by the Canadian government to residential schools and the thousands of children who did not make it home, the parents who lost their children, and the children who lost their families and their First Nation, Metis and Inuit culture. The fifteen pairs of moccasins are set upon a dull background representing the messiness of early spring before new growth arrives. The swirling Eagle Feathers represent grief, turmoil and emotion, as Canada tells the true story of residential school.

Visual 5

Painting five offers us the humility of the Wolf and the respect of the Buffalo to move forward in Truth and Reconciliation. True Reconciliation will require open minds, learning and equity. The season chosen to represent this imagery is spring, a time of rebirth.

Visual 6 and 7

Painting six and seven are a diptych. The wise Beavers are working very hard, digging deep into the water and mud, carrying and piling rocks. The rocks represent Treaty Three’s eighth Grandfather Teaching: Forgiveness. These images are a diptych because Canada has a lot of work to do in the Truth and Reconciliation process and it will not happen overnight.  The Eagle’s Feather is now placed at the top of the rock pile, representing love and respect. The six lilies floating on the water represent a new future and rebirth. Summer is the season represented in this visual to signify growth.

Visual 8

The final painting in the series represents Hope for the future, that the hard work of Truth and Reconciliation will bring. The young child is again dressed in traditional Ojibwe flowers enhancing her shirt.  She is holding her Eagle Feather proudly as she stands upon the small pebbles of forgiveness. The maple leaf is found in the yellow sunset. The jack pine trees and rock masses represent Lake of the Woods. The Feather, on top of the maple leaf, signifies a strong relationship between all Canadians. The imagery returns to the fall season, but this time the Eagle is flying high representing love.