St. Mary's mural pays tribute to lost loved ones and Indigenous culture

A massive mural paying tribute to Indigenous culture and history is nearing completion on St. Mary's First Nation in Fredericton.

Vividly painted turtles, moose, butterflies and flowers have replaced the dreary greyconcrete of an overpass on the capital city's north side.

Theturtle, that's our spirit for everybody and that's the reason why I put them in there.- April Paul, artist

"I drew the flower," said April Paul, the artist who spent the last three months creating the towering artwork. "Then after that I just went crazy."

What is likely her largestpiece of art has been a challenge to paint, she said.

"For me being three apples high, I don't know, I had three or four different-size ladders," said Paul, who can see the mural from her property.

"It took time. Because of the grooves it was hard to get astraightline."

While thecorrugatedconcrete made for a troublesome canvas, Paul was able to create the large, vivid images, all of which have connections to her people and community.

"The moose, of course, has to be there because that's what fed us in the past," said Paul."Theturtle, that's our spirit for everybody and that's the reason why I put them in there."

But the big blue, purple, and blue butterfly that faces Paul's home holds special meaning. It was painted in memory of 21-year-old Dakota Brooks, a member of the St. Mary's community who took her own life in 2011.

"Thebutterflyis like a messenger for thedeceased," said Paul. "Soif we see oneand we say something, that butterfly will take it back to them."

Paul feels her community should haveartistic reminders of friends and loved ones who have passed away.

"It felt reallygood," she said. "I enjoy painting and justgettingthinking of her and doing it, it was really nice."

Communitycanvas

While nearly completed, Paul said the mural is just waiting for a fewwarmerdays when she can paint the final details.

But those whocommissionedthe art are alreadyecstaticabout the installation.

"When it is all said and done it is fantastic," said AllanPolchiesJr., St. Mary's community planner."Itreally stands out."

Polchieshad previously worked with Paul on getting students to paint murals on the interior of the overpass back in 2012 to cover racist graffiti.

He said the latest artwork is something community members can really be proud of because it reflects their culture, and the culture of the first peoples of Turtle Island, the name many Indigenous people use for North America.

"You goto a foreign country, you see all their art everywhere," saidPolchies. "And Indigenous people, we are the founders of Turtle Island,and we need to reflect that on our buildings, andwhere we come from,all over the place."

St. Mary's mural art showcases Indigenous history and culture

7 years ago

Duration 0:41

Brightly coloured animals, insects and flowers now cover an overpass on Fredericton's north side, a tribute to Indigenous culture.