The Truth and Reconciliation art project, "Igniting the Spirit of Reconciliation" was created in 2019 by the students and staff of Balcarres Community School. The pieces were based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action and was led by Michele Schwab, a teacher at Balcarres Community School and Holly Yuzicapi, the school's resident artist. This project has created more than just a powerful collection of art: it has created a community.

Prairie Co-op became involved in 2021 out of a conversation that the Prairie Co-op Board of Directors had regarding the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and the work that Prairie Co-op, as a company, wanted to do to further our understanding of Truth and Reconciliation. Kevin Kattler, one of the Prairie Co-op Board of Directors, spoke of the powerful art project, “Igniting the Spirit of Reconciliation”, which led our General Manager at the time, Chris Paradis to envision a way to bring these pieces to both our staff and the community. 

Due to the pandemic, the display of the pieces in Fort Qu’Appelle and Melville had to wait until 2022, when Kim Wihak, Marketing Specialist for Prairie Co-op worked with Michele to display the pieces and provide an afternoon of education. It was important to have the afternoon of speakers accompany the art, to further the understanding of the impact that residential schools had on First Nation communities.

Prairie Co-op team members and the public were invited to attend, to view the works, to think about their own journey of Reconciliation, and to learn. The program included retired Chief Marie-Anne Daywalker-Pelletier of Okanese First Nation and current Chief Richard Stonechild of Okanese First Nation who spoke about the residential school experience. Jason Agecoutay performed the Honour Song, and Elder Robert Bellegarde led the prayer, to start off the session in a good way. 

 Call to Action Number 53

After the showings in Fort Qu'Appelle and Melville, Michele tasked Kim to "find a home" for the pieces. 

This is where the power of creating a community happened:  Two of the people attending the Fort Qu’Appelle presentation were Laurie and Al Collins. Laurie is Kim’s husband Don’s cousin, and is the Chair for the Truth and Reconciliation Committee at Christ the King parish. Laurie and Al know Father John Weckend, who is part of the Core Committee for Truth and Reconciliation for the Archdiocese of Regina. In the spring of 2023, Al saw Father John, who mentioned that the Core Committee was looking for a project to promote the 94 Calls to Action. Laurie was gifted the book that accompanied the show by Michele, and she showed it to Father John and suggested an art show of the pieces should be presented in Regina. Father John took it from there.

In July, 2023, Kim met with Father John at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre in Regina to assess the space and discuss the importance of Truth and Reconciliation. Father John Weckend and Susan Beaudin, who is a member of the Survivor’s Circle for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation are the Core Committee for Truth and Reconciliation for the Archdiocese of Regina, organized the show and the programming that accompanied the February 2024 installation of the works at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre.

One of these events included a half-day-long presentation on February 17, 2024 by Archbishop Don Bolen, Susan Beaudin, Chief Cadmus Delorme, and Kaila Johnston from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Kim approached Kaila at this event, discussed the importance of the work, and suggested that the pieces be included in the collection of the NCTR.

Installation at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre, Regina -- February 2024.

On Tuesday, May 8, 2024, after many emails back and forth with the NCTR, Kim received the amazing news that "Igniting the Spirit of Reconciliation" would be a part of the permanent collection. The 94 canvases have found a home. On Wednesday, May 9, Kim was able to go to Balcarres Community School and share the news with Michele and Holly, and to have them sign the donation papers.  

Michele signing the donation form from the NCTR

Many people worked together as a community to reach this point. This is the true spirit of Reconciliation. We are proud of the work that we’ve done at Prairie Co-op, and we will continue to honour this journey.

Read more:  Igniting the Spirit of Reconciliation