After the devastating storm that ravaged Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park and the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) a year ago, the work of repairing, replanting and revitalizing has steadily progressed. Parts of the park are now open to campers and the Canadian Ecology Centre will once again welcome students this summer.
Art students from F.J. McElligott Secondary School have also lent their skills to the re-beautification of the area by contributing four paintings, which will be displayed in the CEC.
The paintings, which were created by last year’s graduating class, were scheduled to be installed in the CEC on the day after the tragic storm. That event was, of course, put on hold, and finally, after a year of recovery, the art was presented to Canadian Ecology Centre founder and general manager Bill Steer by current Grade 9/10 visual arts students.
F.J. McElligott teacher, Josie Morin said the CEC had proposed this initial project that celebrates the 7 Grandfather Teachings.
“The Grade 12 visual arts class spent time brainstorming how we can honour and acknowledge the 7 Grandfather Teachings in a way that is respectful and meaningful, yet reflects our personal connections within them,” Morin said. “We collaborated with my Grade 11 English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices class.”
One thing that stood out to students, Morin said, was that all of the teachings truly work together and that none should be excluded or left behind in our journey.
“Students decided that the wolf (humility), the bear (courage), the buffalo (respect), the turtle (truth), the eagle (love), the beaver (wisdom) would be highlighted within their own sphere, with the footprints of the Sabe (Honesty) following behind the landscape within each teaching.”
As part of the visit, students were taken on a tour of what the CEC looks like now, almost a year after the storm. Bill Steer talked to students about the changes to the landscape and provided stories about the journey that the CEC has been on during the last year.
Students were provided with the opportunity to create plein air illustrations of the landscape around them, which they then used as inspiration for a collaborative chalk mural on the closed roads of the park.
Morin said she hopes that students took in the opportunity to create artwork in the moment, with real reference photos in front of them.
“I hope students soaked in the beautiful opportunity to sit by the water and listen to nature around them while they create,” Morin said.
Art student Izzy said, “I had a fabulous day touring and making art. I enjoyed sitting by the water at the bridge to draw the landscape. It was relaxing, and I liked what I created.”
“Bill made the experience engaging,” fellow student Kaleb said. “I appreciate him providing the experience through the Canadian Ecology Centre. I’d give it a 10-star experience getting to create art in nature.”
West Ferris teacher and secondary grad coach Rae-Ann Camirand said the event “was an opportunity to highlight how Pow Wow dance is a form of fitness and personal wellness. Pow Wow and Pow Wow dancing is an important part of Indigenous culture that promotes whole health and well-being; spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.”
