A meaningful project last fall for students at Hunting Hills High School has turned into beautiful artwork that will leave a lasting legacy.
Last September, as part of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, students and staff talked about the significance of the Eagle feather to Indigenous cultures.
Debbie Streight, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Support Worker, provided a paper Eagle feather for all 1,500 students at the high school to design. Depending on the class students were in, some feathers were designed by pencil crayon, felt markers, others were painted or used chalk and some even digitally designed.
"As part of those discussions, we asked the students to design whatever was in their heart," said Debbie. "We had some of the most amazing designs - our students took it to the next level. We had some beautiful watercolour prints, West Coast designs, some of the students drew Eagles, Bears, Red Handprints, Medicine Wheels and some even had Cree Language on them. Our students are so thoughtful and talented and the Eagle feather designs were extremely heartfelt. It made me so proud!"
Many classes and individuals visited Heather Steele's tipi, which was set up on the school's field. Students and staff were able to visit the tipi all day where they could take part in a smudge if they chose, learn about tipi teachings, read Indigenous stories and many teachers and students spent their class time inside the tipi throughout the day. The finished Eagle feathers were hung up throughout the entire school.
In October, during Hunting's Secret Path Week, part of the celebrations included once again setting up Heather's tipi, this time with help from students and the Red Deer Native Friendship Society. There was a small ceremony where participants had a chance to smudge with community members. Students and staff were invited to visit the tipi at lunch where they met Knowledge Keeper, Clare Butterfly, and burned the Eagle feathers in a sacred fire pit placed in the middle of the tipi made by Fabrications Teacher Mike Owens. Many students and staff found this to be an intimate experience.
"The significance of burning the feathers is to pray for the people who were taken to residential schools and who did not come home, as well as for the trauma it caused others," said Debbie. "It was really impactful not only for our students, but for our staff as well."
She added more than 500 students and staff took part in teachings and burning of the Eagle feathers. "What was really beautiful is that this was done on the students' and staffs' own time," said Debbie. "It was truly meaningful. The whole project brought our school together and made our Indigenous students and the community feel very proud."
As the project unfolded and the beautiful artwork emerged, it was decided to choose an Eagle feather designed by a student and place it on clothing items that could be purchased by students, staff and the community to further continue the act of reconciliation and to further bring Indigenous culture to the school.
The feather designed by Daniel Young, a Grade 10 student, was chosen to be printed with the theme 'Be the Change'.
For his design, Daniel said that he saw trees like the ones he drew, and really liked them so he added them into his Eagle feather. He also designed a Medicine Wheel inside the sun, incorporating colours of the Medicine Wheel.
"When I saw Daniel's feather I loved his design," said Debbie, adding a few adjustments had to be made due to printing limitations.
Daniel's feather is available for purchase on a number of items of clothing by clicking here. The store will close May 30.
