Kevin Pee-ace, left, speaks about the murals to those in attendance of the unveiling held at the museum Friday afternoon. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

History

Murals debut at historical museum

Apr 26, 2019 | 5:04 PM

Members of the public got the chance Friday afternoon to see the newest additions to the Prince Albert Historical Museum.

The museum unveiled two murals which will be on display in the new Indigenous history exhibit. The art helps to showcase the history of First Nations and Métis people in the P.A. area. The pieces showing Métis history were designed by Leah Dorion, while Kevin Pee-ace did the pieces showing First Nation’s history. While the murals were being created, the general public were invited to come and help the artists paint.

Leah Dorion with one of her pieces (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

Meagan Ferguson-Dodge, who came out to see the murals make their debut thinks they will add an important component to the museum.

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“It’ll add a more personalized feeling to it, because we are getting the youth and just people from in Prince Albert to help out and to help paint and to … add their contribution to the museum,” she said.

Ferguson-Dodge didn’t take part in the painting process, but her parents and younger siblings did. She said it was especially nice to have Métis culture present alongside the others already there.

“The more we revive our past the more we’ll get people in because history is so wonderful,” she said.

During the creative process a number of people took part, ranging from school classes to groups from senior’s homes in the city. Theodore Enchanh, who came to help with the Métis mural said while taking part he learned about the importance of the buffalo.

“They use the skin as their clothing and they use all the bones for weapons and tools,” he said.

Enchanh added the murals looked nice being up on display and liked how they were organized.

Michelle Taylor, manager curator with the museum explained the murals are the first phase in putting together the new Indigenous exhibit. The exhibit will feature a wide range of information about Indigenous history in the area and display relevant artifacts and show how Indigenous peoples have contributed to building P.A.

Taylor said the new display is needed so the museum better reflects the area and city overall.

“I think ours is especially important because of our community, Prince Albert is a very diverse community,” she said.

About 20 people were on hand for the unveiling. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn