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Chris Chipak presents Landon Chambers with the Town of Battleford's new artwork. (Image Credit: Landon Chambers/ submitted)
"IT'S AN ONGOING PROCESS"

Artwork offers visual reminder of Battleford’s reconciliation journey

Aug 18, 2026 | 5:00 PM

A new piece of artwork now hangs in the Town of Battleford’s council chambers, offering a visual representation of reconciliation as the community marks the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6.

For Chief Administrative Officer Landon Chambers, the artwork is a deeply personal part of his ongoing learning and journey.

“I am reminded that reconciliation is not a destination or single event, it’s an ongoing process of listening, learning, acknowledging, and building respectful relationships,” he said.

The painting, which hangs behind Chambers’ seat at the council table, was commissioned by the town from Chris Chipak, an artist from Red Pheasant Cree Nation whose work can be found across Saskatchewan, including Indigenous logos for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Saskatoon Blades and Huskies Athletics.

Chipak’s artwork incorporates several elements meant to reflect Battleford’s history, its relationship with the land and ongoing relationships.

“This image is not only a story of Battleford, but a visual to represent reconciliation on the history that we have all inherited,” Chambers read from a note provided by Chipak.

Chipak used Battleford’s vintage bison flag as the foundation for the artwork, incorporating Indigenous perspectives and symbolism to acknowledge the importance of land.


(Image Credit: Landon Chambers/ submitted)

A river running through the bison represents the Battle River and its importance to the community. A tree line of six represents Treaty 6 territory, where Battleford is located.

An eagle above the river represents protection and nurturing while paying tribute to the First Nations and communities surrounding Battleford. The eagle’s eight feathers also acknowledge the eight men who were hanged in Battleford in 1885.

“Lastly, the depiction of night and day within the image, the importance that we must understand that reconciliation is not an overnight practice. It is something we must see as an ongoing form of learning,” Chambers read.

Mayor Ames Leslie said the artwork is a meaningful addition to the town.

“I think it’s a wonderful gesture to our community members and our neighbors to take this step, especially in the 150th year of celebrating Treaty 6,” he said. “I think it’s very appropriate and fitting for the town to incorporate this as, if you will allow me to say, it’s a sister logo to our existing logo to complement what we’re doing here in the town of Battleford.”

Leslie credited Chambers with bringing the idea forward and helping turn it into a way for the town to recognize the Treaty 6 milestone and its continued work toward reconciliation.

*battlefordsNOW reached out to the Town of Battleford regarding the price of Chipak’s artwork but did not hear back by the time of publication.

Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com