YEG Dignity Mural

The YEG Dignity Mural, is a 127-foot permanent art installation in the Churchill LRT pedway in Edmonton installed June 2023. This mural was a collaboration between the City of Edmonton Transit Service, Youth Wellness Alliance, Elder Jo-Ann Saddleback, Knowledge keeper Lana Whiskeyjack and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. It features the work of 16 diverse artists led by lead artist Carla Rae Taylor. The YEG Dignity Mural exemplifies the City's efforts to create more inclusive, vibrant and attractive public spaces for transit riders and the public.

The theme for this mural was “ OUR EARTH AS MOTHER” and it celebrates the diverse ways in which Indigenous communities and ethno-cultural communities have shaped Edmonton and the land it is situated on. It also transforms the pedway that links Edmonton’s City Centre Mall and Churchill LRT, into a space in need of vibrancy and love.

For my piece I wanted to paint berries that grown around us. I took my idea and consulted with indigenous Elders Jo-Ann and Jerry Saddleback for guidance. The end result was a 4ft round panel painted in acrylic with four different types of berries in the four directions starting in the East with strawberries that represent the HEART. Blue berries in the SOUTH representing fuel and nourishment for the youth. Raspberries in the WEST representing food and Saskatoon berries in the NORTH representing all the deities that can see us. Here is CBC EDMONTON NEWS article about the project.