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Trissly Blackwater, the LPS 2022-2023 Community Futures Treaty 7 summer student, speaking at the LPS media conference announcing a new art project on April 13, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

Lethbridge Police seeking submissions for Indigenous art project

Apr 14, 2023 | 12:01 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) is seeking a local Indigenous artist to create a piece of digital art.

The new art initiative was sparked by Trissly Blackwater, the LPS 2022-2023 Community Futures Treaty 7 summer student. Blackwater looks to honour the culture and contributions of the Blackfoot and other Indigenous peoples.

With Blackwater’s guidance, LPS worked in partnership with local elders to have their organizational values translated into Blackfoot, which will be used to create a visual representation.

LPS is hoping that the newly incorporated Siksikaitsitapi values will generate a logo design that will be displayed in the station, in LPS publications and in other marketing materials.

Blackwater explained, “To me, this is something very meaningful, especially as a First Nations woman. Coming forward with this, the first in history, I really believe that we are all coming together where we’re building relationships now and so, this is a big step for the Blood Reserve and Lethbridge Police.”

The LPS organizational values translated into Blackfoot are:

  • Respect – Inakootsiiyssini
  • Courage – Iikitapiiysini
  • Professionalism – Okamotapotakssini (doing your job right)
  • Accountability – Ohkottsstakata (to be able to depend on each other)
  • Collaboration – Isspomaanitapiiysinni (helping others)

Indigenous post-secondary students from the Kainai, Piikani and Siksika First Nations are encouraged to send an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the project before April 24, 2023.

LPS Deputy Chief Gerald Grobmeier said, “All expressions of interest will be reviewed by a panel that include members of the LPS Indigenous Advisory Committee, and shortlisted artists will be asked to provide one original work of art in a digital medium.”

The artist whose design is selected will receive a $500 bursary.

Eligible artists must be 18 or older and registered as a post-secondary student during the preceding academic semester.

Blackwater added, “We wanted to have the LPS logo incorporated with the design, and we have very talented artists on the reserve and especially with the digital media. I’m sure we’ll have some sort of incorporation with a cultural design, or something is what I’m hoping for.”

More information about the process, including eligibility, timelines and requirements can be found at the Lethbridge Police Service website.

Read more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com

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