The mural is expected to be seen by hundreds of thousands of people annually. Photo courtesy City of Fredericton Government via Facebook
A new mural has been unveiled in the heart of Fredericton, N.B.’s downtown core, on the side of the public library facing Officers’ Square. Created by Wolastoqiyik artist Emma Hassencahl-Perley, the mural is inspired by the Indigenous song “All My People.” This is Hassencahl-Perley’s second major work to be prominently featured in the city centre, according to CTV News.
“It was really exciting,” says Hassencahl-Perley on seeing her latest piece unveiled. “I have to say, I wasn’t really anticipating the crowd or anything. I don’t really know what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised.” The crowd of about 100 people included friends, family, community members, and her grandparents.
Commissioned by the Indigenous-led organization Beyond Behavioural Intervention a year-and-a-half ago, the mural represents love radiating from the centre out. Elder Imelda Opolahsomuwehs expressed the significance of Indigenous artwork by Indigenous artists being displayed on their traditional territory. “For the city to say, ‘hey, we need some Wolastoqiyik content, we need some stories, and the mural especially,’ you know, you can’t help but get emotional,” Opolahsomuwehs told CTV News.
Fredericton mayor Kate Rogers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of reflecting the vibrant Indigenous Wolastoqiyik culture in the city’s public art. “The Indigenous Wolastoqiyik culture is a very vibrant culture,” Rogers said to the news organization. “So, it’s important that that be reflected in our public art that’s throughout the city.”
The mural is expected to be seen by hundreds of thousands of people annually, highlighting Fredericton’s growing art scene and the vital contributions of its Indigenous population.
This news report is based on information from CTV News.
