Paint the Rails: Strong as a Forest
This mural, ‘Strong as a Forest’ is the fourth in a family of murals that attempt to unearth and honour some of the lesser-known stories in our local history. For Strong as a Forest, we worked with partners from the Métis Nation of Alberta, Alberta Council for Ukrainian Arts and Francophone Historians and Educators. We heard about the importance of language protection when it comes to community legacy and community identity. We witnessed the important role of song, dance, and celebration as markers of resistance and resilience. We learned about the humour, collaboration, and perseverance that has defined each community as they’ve fought for recognition and belonging on the Prairies. We are so proud to bring these beautiful stories forward with Strong As A Forest, which was inspired by an understanding that was so clear in each of our community learning circles - that together, we are stronger.
“...together, we are stronger.”
A key piece of inspiration was the story of Eleanor Garneau, married to Laurent Garneau, finding out the RCMP was coming to investigate her husband’s participation in the Métis Rebellion, evidenced by a letter from Louis Riel. She was doing laundry on a washboard when she heard, quickly grabbed the letter, and washed the message off, removing the evidence. Laurent was still arrested, but this clever act of resistance symbolized the vigilance required when working to make a change.
Another important story was that of students in Franco Albertan schools of this area employing a unique kind of resistance - when asked for their primary language on government forms, they would write French instead of the expected English. When told to correct it, they refused. This was a symbol of the value to them of language, one important connection to identity and culture - the teachers would secretly teach more French than prescribed by the Anglophone government, and the students would learn in French language workbooks that they’d hide when the inspectors came.
We were motivated by the story of the Ukrainian Bookstore, a small business turned cultural institution that became a beacon for identity and community for newcomers to Canada who came from Ukraine. The bookstore sold books, records, and other goods, but also evolved into a hub for the intelligentsia of the Ukrainian community, a space for discussion, debate, and sharing. Community members with access to education would read the latest newspapers to their fellow citizens, so all could keep up with developments and news from Ukraine.
