Correction
The print version of this story incorrectly identified Reverdi Darda as the person speaking to Windspeaker Radio and the mother of artist Karlleia Wood. Wood’s mother is actually Rhonda Wood-Viscarra, and the two of them were the ones who spoke to Windspeaker Radio. The Gazette apologizes to all those concerned for this error. This story has been updated with the correct information.
St. Albert leaders and residential school survivors will be at St. Albert Place this Tuesday to unveil a new art installation dedicated to truth and reconciliation.
The St. Albert-Sturgeon County Métis Nation Local #1904 is inviting everyone to come to St. Albert Place this Sept. 24 to witness the unveiling of the city’s new Every Child Matters Crosswalk.
The art project is the first crosswalk in the city’s history dedicated to truth and reconciliation, and is being installed in the days leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept. 30).
Speaking to Sean Burke on the Windspeaker Radio Network Sept. 16, crosswalk project organizer Rhonda Wood-Viscarra said this project started about two years ago when she emailed St. Albert city council to ask why the city did not have a crosswalk dedicated to the Every Child Matters movement and truth and reconciliation. She, the city, and Local #1904 agreed to paint a crosswalk and held a contest to find an artist to create it, which ended up being Wood-Viscarra’s daughter, Karlleia Wood.
In an interview, Métis Nation Local #1904 president Reverdi Darda said the crosswalk aims to foster awareness, healing, and reconciliation; educate the public about the deep and lasting effects of residential schools; and honour the strength of the survivors and the memory of those lost to the schools.
Darda said the crosswalk will be painted on the east and west sides of the Perron St./St. Anne St. intersection. It features a girl and a boy with braided hair (showing how they have reconnected with their Indigenous heritage) being guided by a bear (representing courage and healing), and will be painted early on Sept. 23 or 24, depending on the weather.
Darda said the unveiling ceremony will include speeches from community leaders and residential school survivors followed by soup and bannock in the St. Albert Place Library. Part of St. Anne St. will be closed during the event.
The unveiling ceremony will be held at St. Albert Place and at the St. Anne/Perron St. intersection from 9 a.m. to noon on Sept. 24. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Gazette will have more on the crosswalk next week.
