Mural teaches about Nokomis Josephine-ba Mandamin’s fight to protect Nibi

By Kelly Crawford

SCARBOROUGH— During the first week of March, the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC) participated in a mural project with Christi Belcourt, Métis artist, and Isaac Murdoch, Traditional Storyteller and artist. The project was meant to meet a variety of objectives set out by UTSC. It is about relationship building, community engagement, authentic experiential learning, and showing a commitment to the Indigenous ways of knowing and doing.

The inspiration for the mural is the story of Nokomis Josephine-ba Mandamin’s universally recognized fight to protect the Nibi (water). She is known for bringing the waters together to Lake Superior. Nokomis Josephine-ba Mandamin went through three knees and eleven pairs of shoes. Water is the lifeblood of Mother Earth. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) final recommendations and the United Declaration of the Right of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) support the need to protect the water.

UTSC students, staff and faculty contributed to an 8-foot by 25-foot mural. The mural, which was painted in acrylic on canvas, was completed over the span of five days. Two days were devoted to community participation. This event strategically developed authentic relationships. In addition, activities for all involved included the following: it created authentic relationship building, brought campus/off-campus community together, created an important and unique work of art facilitated by Christi Belcourt in a Canadian University, and continued the process of reciprocal consultation with Indigenous community. The project was truly multi-faceted.

It is important to note that outside, UTSC community came and participated in this event by nature of their social media following and the opportunity to participate in this UTSC experiential learning experience. This project showcased UTSC’s commitment to building relationships.

It was so amazing to be able to offer this experience to the UTSC community. I always enjoy spending time with Christi and Isaac. I am very grateful they were able to come to our campus and facilitate such a memorable and meaningful work of art.

See video at: https://twitter.com/UTSC/status/1278488055356293122