(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Reconciliation Melfort and Melfort Youth Evolution

Indigenous beaded artwork presented to City of Melfort during latest council meeting

Sep 12, 2023 | 5:59 PM

The City of Melfort received a special gift during their latest monthly council meeting, courtesy of two local groups and participating citizens.

An Indigenous art piece was received by Mayor Glenn George Monday night, which was one of two created.

The pieces were constructed back in July to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day, as more than 100 people had their hands in the construction process.

“Reconciliation Melfort organized the event and part of that event was to involve the public and have a community art project. The youth evolution group led this project, got all the materials, set it up at the event at the memorial garden, had over 100 people beading, and the result was that we made two beaded wallhangings,” explained cultural coordinator Gailmarie Anderson.

The other beaded wallhanging will also soon be given out, as the plan is for James Smith Cree Nation to receive it later this month.

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Anderson told northeastNOW that beaded artwork was specifically chosen because of the ties it has to Indigenous culture.

“It was decided to do the community art project as the beading work because beading has a very long artistic and cultural history among Indigenous people in Canada. It represents their culture, and we want to create a bond and a relationship with the indigenous community,” she added.

“We think it’s important that the City of Melfort officially recognizes that there is a need to join these two communities, and for the citizens of Melfort to become aware of and be educated about Indigenous issues that will lead to to truth and reconciliation.”

As for the City itself, they were grateful for the gift and will work closely with Anderson to find the best place to display it for all to see.

“Many people worked on it, it looks beautiful, and it was a lot of hard work,” said George. “It’ll be on some sort of city property, as it was really made by the community and we couldn’t be happier about that fact.”

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