Young local artists are being recognized for their thoughtful artwork in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30.

Youth in grades 5 to 12 entered a contest launched by Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority to design artwork for this important national recognition day, which honours survivors of residential schools and children who never returned home.

Health authority staff and select community partners reviewed 49 submissions from across the region and selected three winning entries.

Winning submissions were created by Kiana (age 16) from Fisher Branch, Baby Harmony (age 15) from Dauphin River First Nation, (age 13) from Oakbank. Their designs are available for download by IERHA staff and public to use as backgrounds for computer desktops, cellphones and virtual meetings here: NDTR Artwork – Download Page – Interlake-Eastern RHA

Kiana’s poster depicts an image of child with a red handprint stamped over the face with cultural images of animals surrounding the child.

“As a Métis, I made this artwork after reading a book in history class about a person that went to residential school. I made her hair short because they cut her hair and also included the seven teachings,” Kiana wrote in her artist’s statement.

The artwork by Ellia shows a dreamcatcher with the words “truth and reconciliation” surrounding it.

“I chose to include a feather and use of the colour orange to honour Indigenous people on Sept. 30,” Ellia said.

Baby Harmony’s artwork depicted a sun, orange handprint, orange ribbon, school building, trees and the following words: “They call it a school but it was the place for stolen children, stolen voices. The handprint is what is left and what it still speaks. Truth first, then reconciliation.”

Sept. 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a vital time to reflect on the history and lasting impacts of residential schools and colonial policies on Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and to honour Survivors, their families and communities.

Adam Sanderson, Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority’s director of Indigenous Health, shares what Sept. 30 means to the Indigenous Health program and the regional health authority.

“We commend these young artists on their interpretation of reconciliation through their artwork. On this day and every day, let’s take time to learn, reflect and actively respond to racism and take action toward creating a health-care system rooted in respect, understanding and true partnership for the communities we serve,” he said.

In honour of this day, all IERHA clinics and laboratories will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 30. The ten hospitals in Interlake-Eastern RHA will be flying survivors flags and the Canadian flag must be removed as flag protocol dictates it is improper to fly the National Flag with another flag, of any type, on the same flagpole. Facilities without flag poles are identifying other ways to mount the flag so it is visible to people entering the facility. The flag will remain flying until Wednesday, October 1^st.

Winning artwork completed by local 13 year old Ellia of Oakbank.

Artwork contest winner Kiana from Fisher Branch holds up her winning artwork inside Fisher Branch Collegiate.

Artwork contest winner Baby Harmony is pictured outside Dauphin River School with her winning artwork and cheque.