“Oki” signs with Indigenous art to be displayed across Lethbridge

City of Lethbridge Urban Revitalization Manager Andrew Malcolm says the original Oki sign was unveiled three years ago, but is smaller and made from cheaper materials than the new ones.

“We’re just truly thrilled to see Oki 2.0, which will be featured in four core districts, and then also to see that expansion out to some other locations outside of our core, but the fact that when people go around to see all six, hopefully, in our community, that’s bringing people into our downtown and connecting them,” says Malcolm.

The signs will be adorned with pieces of art from four Indigenous artists, which will be digitized and turned into wraps.

Two pieces from Cheyenne McGinnis were chosen.

She says the one that will be on the sign at Park Place Mall incorporates pictographs to bring the past into the present and to look toward the future.

The other, set to be displayed at Exhibition Park, takes inspiration from Indigenous trade blankets and connections to the land.

McGinnis says it is great to have the City of Lethbridge and major organizations being part of initiatives like this because there have not been many opportunities for Indigenous art to be celebrated in the past.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this project,” says McGinnis. “I think it’s really great to be working with the City of Lethbridge, having my art in a public sphere for people to enjoy – that’s what I really wanted to do with my art is just have it enjoyed by other people.”

Lethbridge Public Library CEO Terra Plato says their sign features art from Sandra Lamouche and is a great way to welcome all who visit the library.

“In keeping with the Library’s mission to be a welcoming, inclusive space that connects and strengthens community through equitable access to learning and leisure, the Library is proud to acknowledge and honour the traditional occupants of this land through the promotion of the Blackfoot language in our spaces,” says Plato.

Funding for this initiative was approximately $160,000, which was shared in a 53-47% deal with the six partnering organizations and the city.

The city hopes to have the signs installed sometime this fall.

The unveiling event at Park Place Mall occurred during Reconciliation Week in Lethbridge, which includes a range of activities meant to celebrate Indigenous culture, heritage, and history.

The week started with a flag-raising ceremony at Lethbridge City Hall on Monday, September 26, 2022, and ends with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday.

The six art pieces can be viewed below.

Artwork by Cheyenne McGinnis will be displayed on the Oki sign at Exhibition Park. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

Artwork by Cheyenne McGinnis will be displayed on the Oki sign at Park Place Mall. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

Artwork by William Singer III will be displayed on the Oki sign at the University of Lethbridge. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

Artwork by William Singer III will be displayed on the Oki sign at the Galt Museum & Archives. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

Artwork by Candace Gladue will be displayed on the Oki sign at CASA. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

Artwork by Sandra Lamouche will be displayed on the Oki sign at the downtown branch of the Lethbridge Public Library. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

by David Opinko

“Oki” signs with Indigenous art to be displayed across Lethbridge

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