Treaty 8 association to create ‘Our Story, Our Wall’ mural on wall targeted by racist graffiti

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The association representing First Nations communities in northeast B.C. is finalizing plans to create a mural on a wall that was targeted by racist vandalism. 

The Treaty 8 Tribal Association posted to Facebook on June 30th announcing the artwork, entitled ‘Our Mural, Our Story,’ will be painted on its office’s south wall.

The wall was the target of swastikas and bigoted messages in February, with mayor Lilia Hansen and provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Christine Boyle offering messages denouncing hate and racism.

Treaty 8 executive director Marlene Roy told Energeticcity.ca at the time that “people stay silent” in the face of hatred because racism is “so accepted.”

However, Roy said on July 3rd community organizations and businesses had “stepped forward” to show their support for the First Nations community in the city.

“We had a lot of offers from people wanting to help show their support of the Indigenous peoples here,” said Roy. 

Roy, whose parents are both residential school survivors, didn’t reveal details about the mural, only sharing “it was from a vision” of Indigenous artist Alisa Froh several years ago.

“It was an idea that had been shared with me a while back,” said Roy. “[Froh] had worked at Treaty 8 a while back. When she came to me she said ‘Mar, we’ve got to do this mural. This is what came to me’ and she showed me.

“I said, ‘you know what? Let me see what the Chiefs think.’ It was just something that I just never followed through on. I just kind of tabled it.”

Roy said the incident last winter gave her “the push” to follow through on the project, saying the mural symbolizes Treaty 8 “taking a stand” and showcasing the organization – and the Indigenous people – are part of the community.

“This is our territory,” said Roy. “We want to be part of this community. Join us and learn. Come and be a part of it.”

The event will feature a barbecue, drummers, opening remarks and the beginning of the mural by Froh and a team of artists. Painting the mural, according to Roy, will take approximately two weeks.

The festivities will begin on Monday, July 7th, starting at 11 a.m. at Treaty 8 Tribal Association offices at 10233 100th Avenue in Fort St. John.

The event is sponsored by Doig River First Nation, Northern Legendary Construction, Peace Country Rentals, and R360 Environmental Solutions Canada. 

The event is free of charge and open to the public.

Further details about the event are available on Treaty 8 Tribal Association’s Facebook page.