Indigenous Artist Sarah Russell and Kale Fox-Zacharias

By Lara Fominoff

Reconciliation and Inspiration

Indigenous artist hopes for community support for second community art installation

Aug 3, 2019 | 7:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Sarah Russell is hoping to inspire youth with her message of unity, community support and reconciliation.

That’s why, as her last project as an Indigenous Art student at the University of Lethbridge, she decided to create a massive rock replication of the Blackfoot Confederacy Symbol. It will be located on the grounds of the U of L, on a natural hillside behind University Hall.

Hillside at the U of L near U-Hall where the artwork will be placed

Because the project is so large, she enlisted the help of students at G.S. Lakie and Kainai Middle Schools throughout May and June. The students helped paint the dozens of blue, yellow, red and black rocks; labelling some of them with inspiring, loving messages.

Painted rock with note (Photo Courtesy: University of Lethbridge)

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Russell talked to the Elder who created the symbol in 2017 who shared his knowledge of the colours and the shapes. The red stone in the middle of the circle and those in the middle of each triangle represents “the source,” while red hooves represent movement. She says we all move when we’re alive – and then eventually are returned back to “the source.”

Each quadrant represents the Kainai, Siksika, Pikanii and Browning (Blackfeet), Montana tribes. The circle that encompasses each of the quarters shows how they all used to be one nation and how they are all stronger when they are together.

“I’m working with reconciliation, so not just for the elder that gave me this information, but also with the university and the people that are getting involved.”

It hasn’t been an easy road getting the project underway. Russell also had to choose several locations for her artwork and get the permission of the university, find a date and time to do so, and coordinate everything with the schools and children. It also involved a formal meeting with the University’s president. She says the process has taught her patience and understanding as well- which she hopes to pass on.

“That’s the whole point of my project, is reconciliation. So, I learned to work through that. I want the youth to know that they can work through little bumps in the road, and the outcome is way better.”

She shared a story of an experience with a student at G.S. Lakie parent, whose daughter won a prize she had given to a class as a thank you for helping paint the rocks that will make up the symbol.

“She said, ‘I just want to say whatever you’re doing, keep going. My daughter is going into her teen years and we’re fighting. For two weeks we haven’t talked. We’ve been at each other’s necks. The day you went to her school, she came home and was ready to tell her story. And I sat down and she said, mom, look what I won,’ and she pulled out moccasins. She said, ‘I’m busy. My daughter’s been asking for moccasins for a long time and I haven’t been able to make them. I feel like such a bad mom.’ And she told me to keep going. It means a lot.”

Russell was hoping to have a permanent art installation approved, however because of the project’s location and size, it wasn’t possible. She says while she’s very happy that the U of L has a lot of west coast and other indigenous artwork, there isn’t any permanent Blackfoot artwork on the university grounds – something that she hopes will change in the years to come.

“What I told the president and what I told the art placement committee is that there is art here. They’ve had a wonderful relationship with indigenous people and the community. But nothing that says this is Blackfoot territory (other than the flag).”

Her friend Kale Fox-Zacharias echoes those sentiments.

“I came here to re-learn my language. And yeah, I go through the library and I see totem poles and Inuit sculpture and it’s awesome there’s a variety of indigenous cultures… I feel that Blackfoot art will bring a perspective that’s not shown.”

This is the second time Russell has created such a large piece of artwork, with help from friends like Fox -Zacharias who is helping her complete her vision. Her first installation in 2017 in the coulees was vandalized not long after it was placed on a hillside. A large group of volunteers got together to help fix it not long after.

This time, Russell is hoping to once again get a large group of volunteers together at the University at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 in the courtyard area behind U-Hall. Volunteers should wear cool clothing, hiking shoes and bring water. They will be required to lift heavier rocks, transport them, and place them on a hillside.

There will also be a meal to follow when the installation of the artwork is complete. Anyone is welcome to volunteer.

“I just want to show that we’re here, our culture is so very colourful and strong. And we have connection to the land. There’s still a lot of hurt, a lot of negative. But at the same time, we’ll all human beings…I’m trying to offer myself so people can come and make relationships.”

Russell says this last piece of artwork is like her gift to the university to promote healing. She hopes to become a teacher after she graduates.