Intended as a symbol representative of all BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) people, a new statue has gone up outside of Sudbury Secondary School.
The seven-foot-tall statue is made of wood and metal, and features people linked hand in hand around a globe, “with the North Start leading their way,” according to a media release issued by the school.
During an unveiling on Friday afternoon on Mackenzie Street, student Shayla Shawongonabe, who designed the statue, credited fellow artist Benjamin Hermann as having “really brought it to life.”
Shawongonabe (who uses they/them pronouns) designed it on paper and cardboard, and students voted on which design to proceed with.
“I had a vision in my mind of a circle with a tree because trees represent strength, and their roots go deep into the earth,” Shawongonabe said, describing this as a parallel with BIPOC people, whose cultural roots also dig deep.
“Any BIPOC person can see themselves as the little stick figures, because there are no identifying features,” they said, adding that they brought their own perspective as an Ojibwe person to the project.
Recently installed, Shawongonabe said the early response has been positive, and that they’ve been happy to learn that people have been interested in public art.
Their goal for the piece is to exemplify a sense of unity between all BIPOC people and allies.
“Just to make sure that everybody’s seen,” they said. “I just want people to know they are a part of the community, that everyone has an influence in the community and are seen and feel loved.”
During Friday’s unveiling, Future North handed Shawongonabe a Certificate of Excellence in Artistry and Cultural Unity.
“Shayla has shown tremendous workmanship and absolute dedication to the project overall,” Future North communications specialist Jelise Keating said, crediting them with bringing strong influence and artistry to the project, all while being supportive of their peers’ contributions.
The art installation was supported through Future North’s Culture of the North project, which is focused on BIPOC youth engagement, networking, empowerment and well-being.
It was funded through Tamarack Institute’s Communities Building Youth Futures Community Innovation Fund.
The piece was designed during the last school year.
“When I look at the artwork, I immediately see students coming together in a global society,” Principal Heather Downey said in a media release. “It really is symbolic of what Sudbury SEcondary School is all about. Our strength as a school comes from unity in diversity, with each student in the link inspired to reach their full potential.”
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
