Blackfoot artists are being featured on Great Bear Boulevard in Lethbridge. (Photo: The City of Lethbridge)

By Drew Stremick

Lethbridge boulevard highlights Indigenous art, culture and knowledge

Sep 29, 2022 | 12:46 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is celebrating Indigenous art and culture with a series of installations on Great Bear Boulevard, located near Fire Hall No. 5.

The 600 metre stretch of road in west Lethbridge will feature installations that reference Blackfoot culture, that were all created by Indigenous artists.

• Iiyikítapiiyit! (Be Brave, fearless!) – A mural by Hali Heavy Shield on Fire Hall No. 5.
• Aoahkannaistokawa – A fire truck wrapped in Niitsitapii art by Iitsikiitsapoyii (Rudy Black Plume – Standing On Top Alone)
• Nine iiníí (buffalo) sculptures by Ponokaakii (Marjie Crop Eared Wolf).
• Niitsitapo saisskii (plants) and landscape designs by Ponokaakii and Kainai Elders.

With two pieces being displayed by the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, Deputy Fire Chief Cody Gunlock says it’s a great opportunity for crews to learn more about Blackfoot culture and the symbolism of each piece.

“The more we learn about the significance of the artwork done by Hali and Rudy, the prouder we are to be a part of such an amazing project,” said Gundlock. “The symbolism of the murals on Fire Station #5 and the Fire Engine, are based off the culture of the Blackfoot people going back thousands of years.”

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Gundlock continues, “Even the smallest comparison in meaning to what we do in the Fire Service, is truly humbling for all of us. Moving forward, we carry the symbols of the Tipi, and the Horse, with pride and honor as our members serve in protecting our community.”

A firetruck at Fire Hall No. 5 was wrapped as part of the project. (Photo: The City of Lethbridge)

Ponokaakii, the artist who created the buffalo sculptures, says she enjoyed working on this project as it gave her an opportunity to work with different people.

“I am thankful for the experience and the quality of relationships I have developed with my Elders,” says Crop Eared Wolf. “I am grateful to have my friend and fellow Kainai Niitsitapi Artist Bryce Singer collaborate with me on this project. I hope that the public will see this project as more than public art, and come to appreciate the Blackfoot language, culture and territory. Through working on this project I wanted to showcase the unique beauty and importance of Blackfoot language, culture, my community and our territory.”

Each of the nine buffalo sculptures has an interpretive sign which features information about the plants and the cultural impact the hold to the Niitsitapi people.

One of the buffalo sculptures that will be featured on Great Bear Boulevard in Lethbridge. (Photo: The City of Lethbridge)

The City’s Public Art program plans to invite each artist to an “Artist Chat” to talk about the Great Bear Boulevard project.

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