Students at Moira Secondary School unveiled the “We Are Connected As One” mural on October 17, 2017. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Students at Moira Secondary School have strengthened their connection with the local Indigenous community, through an interactive mural, in the school’s front hall.
The mural titled “We Are Connected As One” was unveiled today and uses an augmented reality app to share the creation stories shown in the painting, as well as the six-month process to get the project done.
Rachel Brant is an Indigenous rep on the Moira Student Council and says the project, which involved 40 student painters, brought the entire school together.
Moira Student Council Indigenous Reps Sierra Brant-Heffernan and Rachel Brant discuss the process of putting the “We Are Connected As One” mural together, on October 17, 2017. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Mural artist Maureen Walton helped to guide the students through the painting, which shows the Tree of Peace on one end, a gathering in the middle and the Sky Woman on the other end.
She says while she’s proud of the artwork that’s on display, the interactive element is an exciting addition to the piece.
Moira Secondary School Principal Grant Montgomery (right) and Mohawk Language Teacher Joe Brown, demonstrated the “We Are Connected As One” mural’s augmented reality features, on October 17, 2017. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
A pair of plaques were also unveiled in the front foyer of the school, commemorating the Indigenous land MSS was built on.
Principal Grant Montgomery says it was important for students and staff to continue to honour the school’s connection to the local Indigenous community.
Along with the time spent painting, students put hours of research into the project, which took about six months to complete.
The English translation of a plaque in the Moira Secondary school foyer, honouring the connection between the school and the local Indigenous community. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Members of the MSS mural committee and Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board cut the ribbon on the “We Are Connected As One” mural, on October 17, 2017. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
