A new welcome mural has been unveiled at Sarnia City Hall.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Working Group collaborated with the city to make the mural possible.
It was created by Multidisciplinary Artist Kennady Rayn, who gave a heartfelt speech at the unveiling on Wednesday.
"I just want to say thank you to the UNDRIP committee for commissioning this mural. This mural represents the Three Fires Confederacy, or the castle of the three fires, which is a long-standing alliance between the Odawa Ojibwe and Potawatomi people," said Rayn. "To be able to create a visual representation of these three nations is a huge, huge honour to me."
Rayn said she hopes people look at the mural and have a moment of reflection and learning.
"If you wish to congratulate me on this achievement of having a mural displayed in city hall, I would instead like you to direct that love and praise to the people who have looked after this land and its waterways for centuries. I would like you to learn the true history of the people, the land, and the water. And when you do, I ask that you move forward with respect and appreciation," said Rayn.
In an interview with SarniaNewsToday, Rayn noted the length of the timeline for the mural was helpful to the creative process.
"I'm glad that it did take the time that it took, because over the course of two years, I've done a lot more projects just kind of expanding my style and, improving my skill," she said "I do think that how it went was how it was meant to go, because then when it came time for me to actually paint. I had a lot more experience and a lot more knowledge with this style of artwork."
City/County Councillor Brian White said the artwork is a great addition to city hall.
"I think it's absolutely beautiful, and really changes the dynamics of the feeling when people walk in the door," said White. "This has been years in the making in terms of (the) initial concept of adding some welcoming language to the foyer, to then deciding that we were going to go the route of a mural, and then having it obviously produced in the manner that it's presented today."
The mural took several years as it went through a multistep process to come to fruition.
"This is really a symbolic gesture, that we are acknowledging our history, and that our history does belong to everybody," said White. "And, when you walk in this building, we're not shying away from any of it, but what it also signals to everybody is that we are a collective and that we are here to work together, and the work that we do in this building is incredibly important, and making sure that everybody feels that they are a part of that collaborative effort is top of mind."
The mural is available for viewing in the city hall lobby during operating hours.
