BARRHEAD - Town of Barrhead councillor officially approved a local group's request to paint a Main Street crosswalk with Indigenous artwork and symbols to draw attention to Indigenous issues and culture and as a prelude to their planned Indigenous Peoples Day festivities on June 21.
Councillors unanimously approved the request from the Barrhead and Community Indigenous Committee during their May 24 meeting.
Council first considered the request at its May 9 meeting but held off on a decision, citing the need for more information.
Specifically, council wanted more information on the Indigenous symbols that the committee had chosen, a white eagle feather and Inuksuk and the Métis infinity symbol, to ensure they were being culturally sensitive and respective of all aboriginal peoples, especially those from the region such as the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.
Councillors noted that the committee, which includes representation from the Ripple Connection Support Centre, the Barrhead Pregnancy Care Centre, the Blue Heron Support Services Association, Alberta Health Services and two local Indigenous representatives, did not come from First Nations nearest to the community.
The Indigenous committee members listed in the letter are Robin Berard, Beth Kryger, and Maiya Irqqarqsaq. Kryger identifies herself as Métis, Irqqarqsaz is an Inuit youth member, and Berard is originally from Bigstone Cree Nation near Wabasca.
The crosswalk will be at the 50th Street and 50th Avenue intersection.
Mayor Dave McKenzie said after he and CAO Edward LeBlanc met with representatives of the committee, which included a representative from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, they were satisfied that the symbols were universal and would not exclude or offend any other First Nation.
"After hearing their explanation, I am very comfortable that the images the committee proposes are well accepted by the Indigenous community at large," he said. "They knew what the symbols were and their significance, but until we asked them about it, I don't think they thought they needed to explain their significance to the larger community."
In a subsequent letter, included in the agenda package, the committee noted that they chose the template for the crosswalk art from one utilized by the Town of Whitecourt.
"The white eagle feather represents First Nation People. The eagle is sacred because it flies closest to the Creator. It also symbolizes respect, honour, strength, courage and wisdom. Its feathers also symbolize a step forward, a new chapter of reconciliation," the letter stated.
The committee also noted, that since their original request, they have decided to add a second eagle feather to the crosswalk's artwork, "honouring the four directions and the sidewalk becomes representative of Mother Earth."
The committee's letter also explains that the Métis infinity symbol represents the coming together of two distinct and vibrant cultures, those of European and Indigenous North America and the immortality of the nation. It also described the Inukshuk as a symbol that represents the Inuit people.
"Inukshuk means in the likeness of a human, but that has been transformed into a symbol of hope and friendship that transcends borders to reach people all over the world."
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
