The artwork at École Salish Secondary has caught the eye of the City of Surrey, which has recognized Surrey Schools at the Civic Distinction Awards for its use of indigenous art and culture throughout the district. (Video by 3 Crows Productions)
The City of Surrey recognized the Surrey School District's commitment to indigenous art and culture at last night's Civic Distinction Awards, particularly for the artwork at École Salish Secondary.
While the district is exempt from the city's private development public art policy, city staff recommended that Surrey Schools be acknowledged for the artwork contracted from local indigenous artists at École Salish Secondary. The awards ceremony was held virtually on Thursday, Dec. 10.
"It is an honour for the district to be recognized for our efforts to highlight indigenous art and culture in our schools," said Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurie Larsen. "It is important for us to acknowledge the rich histories of the local First Nations as our students learn on their traditional territories."
"This shows that our indigenous expressions are being appreciated and showcased and displayed in ways they never have been before in Surrey," said Lyn Daniels, Director of Instruction for Aboriginal Learning. "It's just so awesome that both the city and the school district have honoured the local First Nations."
Ahead of the opening of École Salish Secondary, the district contracted artwork from the Katzie, Semiahmoo and Kwantlen First Nations for the school logo and welcome figure, as well as other indigenous art pieces throughout the school. A committee of representatives from the local First Nations selected designs for glass treatments on classrooms, the front office, the Inclusion room and other areas of the school.
The artists involved, their nations and the pieces they created are:
- Brandon Gabriel (Kwantlen)- Frogs, Salmon
- Elinor Atkins (Kwantlen) - Butterfly, Salmon Alevin
- Les Wells (Semiahmoo) - Petroglyphs, Frog eating Dragonfly
- Wes Antone (Kwantlen) - Crane
- Trenton Pierre (Katzie) - Beavers, Wolves
- Roxanne Charles (Semiahmoo) - Canoe journey, Salmon eggs in water
- Deanna Point (Musqueam) - Logo, Owls and Eagles
- Gary Leon (Chehalis) - Welcome figure
The district is proud to highlight the artwork, language and culture of local First Nations through these displays, and is continuously grateful for the contributions of indigenous artists to our schools.
