About the art installation
Collaboratively designed by Haida artist, April White, from Haida Gwaii in British Columbia and Mi’kmaq artist, Lorne Julien, from Millbrook First Nation in Truro, Nova Scotia, the Indigenous art installation in CNIB spaces signifies CNIB’s journey toward reconciliation. The icon in its entirety holds representation of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
The icon is encompassed in a yellow circle to represent a Potlatch ring, coming full circle and to represent the four directions. A chief would receive a ring for each Potlatch that his clan hosted. These Potlatches, which represented a cultural supreme court and a means for oral histories to be carried forward, were banned in an effort to prevent Indigenous Peoples from gathering in large numbers and prevent the growth of culture and traditions.
The bottom half of the ring shows waves flowing from left to right and right to left. The waves represent the Pacific Ocean (left curling right) and the Atlantic Ocean (right curling left). In the middle of these waves sits an eye in black and white.
The eye represents being witness. The top eyelid symbolizes the soil across Canada, while the inner crescent in the iris represents the Canadian Shield, a solid plutonic rock coming up from below. The style used is identifiable to the Haida peoples of the West Coast. It is perceived in Haida culture that islands or land are floating on the ocean, and the sea of yellow paired with the eye signifies a different way of seeing the world.
In the upper half of the inner circle above the eye sits an eight-point star, outlined in black and filled yellow. There are different versions of how the star came about. A fact is that the petroglyph was found in Bedford (near Halifax) and that the eight-pointed star is often used in designs and crafts to represent the Mi'kmaq people, L'nu'k (the people).
Placed in the star's centre is an eagle head in white, outlined in black. The eagle is a symbol of respect, love, honour, strength, courage, and wisdom. The eagle is seen to be sacred as it flies closest to the creator. To receive an eagle feather means you are held in the highest respect. The feathers are also used to smudge and bless people, places, things, and gatherings. Typically, these feathers are earned or gifted.
Lastly, under the yellow ring sits a double curve mosaic design with a plant in the centre. This symbol is highly recognizable and related to Mi’kmaq arts and crafts. Used over many generations, the interpretation is of Mother Earth and nature. Each curve can represent plant life that holds a high significance to the people in terms of harvesting food, sacred medicines, and traditional healing properties.
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CNIB Reconciliation Action Plan
Our CNIB Reconciliation Action Plan will be weaved into our programs, our advocacy, our policies, and our recruitment practices, with an intersectional lens as part of The Way Forward. These objectives will complement other initiatives we will undertake to support marginalized communities to help create an inclusive Canada where people who are blind, low vision, or Deafblind and all lived experiences can thrive.