Brave Rock (centre at podium) receiving her winner's certificate at CASA on Dec. 9, 2019 (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Melvina Brave Rock named winner of reconciliation art project

Dec 9, 2019 | 12:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It’s another step towards reconciliation.

The winners of the #YQL Expressions of Reconciliation competition were recognized at CASA Monday morning. The contest was a joint effort organized by the United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta, the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network and the Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Council.

READ MORE: Local art and media contest focuses on reconciliation

In first place was Melvina Brave Rock, who presented an art piece titled ‘In Transition’.

“As a freelance artist I’ve never had any training outside of my house. I believe that my artwork has allowed me to express my feelings of reconciliation. It has allowed me to show how I felt about this reconciliation and the healing and why I named my piece ‘In Transition’ is because I am still in transition myself,” Brave Rock said.

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She said it’s taken many years, education and love to overcome racism.

“I love all people now.”

Brave Rock commented that her win in the competition came as a total surprise. She said this was actually the first time that she’s ever entered an art show or competition.

“I have done this all my life, ever since I got out of residential school. When I had gotten my roots back, I learned that I was an artist, so I did a lot of artwork,” she said.

“I’m quite surprised that my piece was chosen, because I put a lot of little things here and there that I thought, ‘I don’t even know what they’re really looking for’, but this is how I feel, as a child this is how I went in – like this with my culture intact. Now my culture is intact again, my language is back, my name, my traditions.”

Brave Rock said she now works as an education correspondent teacher on the Blood Reserve and works with the Harbour House Women’s Emergency Shelter.

“Wherever I can find children and mothers, I try to work with them because I understand where they’re coming from, especially if they’re [Indigenous].”

Coming in second place in the competition was ‘The Linii’, a painting whose artist wishes to remain anonymous. In third was a song by Donovan, Tyson & RT titled ‘At Ease’.

‘At Ease’ also received People’s Choice honours.

Brave Rock received $350 for her win, sponsored by Reconciliation Lethbridge, with second place earning $200 (sponsored by United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta) and third place receiving $150, sponsored by the Lethbridge Indigenous Sharing Network.

The People’s Choice winner also received $75, sponsored by the United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta.

All winning submissions can be seen at CASA in downtown Lethbridge, on display until mid-January.