Indigenous artwork shared through bus wrap, mural

At the Every Child Matters walk on Saturday, the Healing of the Seven Generations revealed a Grand River Transit (GRT) bus wrap.

The bus will circulate through the community on major transit routes for at least one month.

The indigenous artwork was crafted by Tsista Kennedy and it honours the many children who experienced tragedies in residential schools.

“Donna [Dubie] has been working hard with the region all year to get the wrap on the bus, and [Saturday] was the big reveal. Our hope is the wrap will stay forever, not just for a month,” said Healing of the Seven Generations member Serena Wesley.

A mural of Kennedy’s work is also on display at the GRT Customer Service Centre in downtown Kitchener at King Street and Benton Street.

“In learning the history of the bison in post-contact North America, I have come to understand that their story of resiliency is no different than ours as Indigenous, ” said Kennedy in a release. “Additionally, I chose to include an eagle; reminding us of healthy leadership. On the eagle’s wings rest the present and future generations of us as Indigenous peoples. We must never forget to consider and provide for the coming faces as we navigate the journey of Reconciliation.”

The art, bus wrap, and mural are being shared as part of the region’s Reconciliation Action Partnership.

Healing of the Seven Generations alongside GRT reveal #everychildmatters bus wrap to be on bus for one month.

H7G calling for wrap to be on all year, updated by new indigenous artists in following years #NDTR @CityNewsKIT pic.twitter.com/kjhW4BUVfg

— Christine Clark (@CClark570) September 30, 2023