HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NL – College of the North Atlantic (CNA) students of the Aboriginal Bridging program, and Lisa Learning, an indigenous artist from Labrador, have collaborated on a new addition to the lobby at Happy Valley-Goose Bay campus.
A painted mural – ‘
Flight of Resilience’ – is the culmination of the reconciliation project, intended to raise awareness of the history of residential schools in Canada, and the impact the government-funded, church-run schools had on indigenous peoples.
“CNA strives to provide an inclusive learning environment for all,” said Craig Baker, CNA’s Senior Campus Director. “The mural signifies to honour, and heal all those impacted by the residential schools in Canada while educating and creating a dialogue.”
Learning describes the idea behind the design. The circle represents the traditional drum – the heartbeat of the earth.
“It represents the soul searching and healing process the three groups have experienced and gone through,” she said. “The raven is one of the most resilient birds in North America and in this logo represents resilience and determination that our people have had, and still have. It also shows how, regardless of what has happened, we have found a way to break free and move (fly) forward - both spiritually and physically, mind and spirit.”
The three feathers represent all three indigenous groups in Labrador.
“A feather for each one,” Learning said.” And the colours chosen are the earth, snow and water – the same colours used in the Labrador flag.”
The mural was painted by the students and funded by the Community Addictions Prevention and Mental Health promotion fund as a part of CNA’s campus wellness team initiative.
The ‘
Flight of Resilience’ has also become the symbol of the Newfoundland and Labrador residential schools healing and commemoration work and appeared on official documents, lapel pins, and the plaques, which commemorated the five residential schools.
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Media Contact:
Minal Abhange
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.7870
minal.abhange@cna.nl.ca