This is from 1 of my latest project, 2018, support funding through the school, and the Ontario Arts Council, Indigenous Artist in the School Program

1. McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School
creates large Indigenous mural to promote
learning
McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public
School staff and students spent
the first couple of weeks of the
new school year working with
artist Michael Cywink to create
a large-scale mural to teach
students about Indigenous
culture.
With brushes in hand, an
enthusiasm to learn, and under
the guidance of Cywink, a band
member of the Wikwemikong
Unceded Indian Reserve on
Manitoulin Island, students and
staff members painted a vibrant 39-foot by seven-foot mural that spans two
hallway corridors.
Grade 6 to 8 students were chosen to help outline and paint the various images
that encompass the rich-tone mural.
“The purpose was to educate and connect our students and community with
Indigenous art and culture while raising awareness about land, contemporary
colonialism, Indigenous peoples and issues to inspire change in people and their
actions,” says Lisa Touchie, teacher at McKenzie-Smith Bennett PS. “This project
aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls To Action, specifically, building
student learning for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect.”
The mural has already created deep student learning at the Acton school.
“I learned about different art styles of the Indigenous peoples and how to become a
better painter,” says Grade 6 student Jackie. “I hope by the time I am in Grade 8,
all of the blank walls in the school will have a mural on them or at least a small
painting. It makes the school feel so beautiful, and we feel connected with the land
and nature.”

2. For Grade 8 student, Bradley, understanding Indigenous history is important
because “we need to recognize they were here long before us and to respect their
ways of thinking and culture.”
The mural makes many key curriculum connections, Touchie says, that include, and
extend, beyond art while reinforcing important Truth and Reconciliation
Commissions Calls to Action.
“Beyond the obvious art connections through the elements of design such as space,
colour, and texture, our focus was on bringing in Indigenous knowledge through
Indigenous voice. We focused on learning about the land and the seven
Grandfather Teachings of Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility and
Truth, and connecting these teachings to student behaviour and interaction. Our
goal is that these learnings will transfer to our community outside of the school
walls.”
The mural will help spur dialogue and teachings in the Social Studies curriculum, for
example, to include knowledge about treaties, Indigenous rights, cultures and
perspectives in the classroom, Touchie says.
“Our teachers have been inspired by the conversations that have started and are
beginning to feel more comfortable opening up discussion around the topic of Truth
and Reconciliation.”
Principal Kimberley Phillips says the mural will create a legacy for future students to
better understand the history of Indigenous peoples.
“Our students have been able to make authentic connections to the learning around
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the history of residential schools,” she
explains. “More importantly, they were able to engage in important conversations
with their teachers and with the artists. They were able to ask questions in an
atmosphere of respect, trust, and understanding, leaving a lasting mark on the
school that has been positive and uplifting.”
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