Mural: Women's Resource Centre
Created: August 2021
Location: Women's Resource Centre
Address: 4553 Park Avenue
The mural design was a collaborative project between The Terrace Women’s Resource Centre Society (TWRCS), The Skeena Salmon Arts Festival Society, and artists Aaron Geeraert and Carly Nabess. It was painted by the artists in August 2021 during river boat days. This vibrant, commemoratory and celebratory mural span two walls of the TWRCS. It is hoped that the vibrant blues, plant medicines surround the building provide a welcoming and loving atmosphere for those who work in and visit.
The mural mimics the local landscape, the brilliant Lakelse watershed. Featured in this landscape are local plant foods and medicines, including wild roses, devils club, skunk cabbage and wild strawberries (heart berries). This mural celebrates the land that nourishes and heals us. Métis design elements can be found throughout the mural, from flowy tendrils to mouse tracks. These design elements are inspired by Métis beadwork. The Métis people are known for their beadwork and are even referred to as "The flower beadwork people."
The woman in the water represents love, healing and resistance. She wears orange to commemorate the residential school experience, and to witness and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families. On her arm is a Metis 5 petal flower tattoo that symbolizes cultural resurgence and realizations - woman are healing and taking back their culture and power.
To learn more about why we wear orange shirts and Orange shirt day please visit orangeshirtday.org
"Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of this project. As spokesperson for the Reunion group leading up to the events, former student Phyllis (Jack) Webstad told her story of her first day at residential school when her shiny new orange shirt, bought by her grandmother, was taken from her as a six-year old girl.""