My Journey Home by Northwest Territories artist Melanie Jewell
If you’re out for a stroll in Mount Pleasant, you’ll notice a new massive, colourful mural nestled between the two coffee shops at the Main & 14th Plaza. A collaboration with Northwest Territories Tourism and Destination Indigenous to support Indigenous artists, the 1,000 square foot piece is one of the highlights of Vancouver Mural Festival 2022.
Titled "My Journey Home", it was created by multimedia artist Melanie Jewell, who flew directly from the Northwest Territories to work on this important piece. The mural is a homage to Melanie’s mom, Jeannie Marie-Jewell, and her late grandmother, Sophie Marie. It is also dedicated to the aurora borealis and its connection with the people of the North.
The story behind the mural is a memento of the dark history of Canada's residential school system. The artist’s mother, Jeannie Marie-Jewell, was a residential school student at the Thomas Simpsons School in Fort Simpson, NT. On October 10th, 1967, Jeannie was told that her mother, Sophie Marie, was very ill. Jeannie made the journey back, but was not able to see her mother until the next day she arrived. When she finally reached her, her sisters told her that she had died that morning. Sophie Marie was 48 years old at the time that she passed away. Jeannie didn't realize how angry this made her until later in life, as the opportunity to say goodbye to her was forever lost.
Sophie Marie gave birth to 14 children. All the 14 bears in this mural represent each of Melanie’s aunties and uncles. The mama bear on the left of the mural is her Kokum (grandmother in the Cree language) holding her mom and giving her a hug, the last one she desperately wanted before she died.
The artwork features art inspired by Canada’s Northwest Territories, home of the Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit Indigenous peoples and the spectacular Northern Lights. The aurora borealis is also present in the mural as a symbol of honouring the spirits of those who came before us.
“The northern lights connect everyone as they are healing to all who see them in person. This mural is dedicated to my mom and Kokum, who she never got to meet, but she knows is always there supporting her on her journey. It’s a comfort to know that the same Northern Lights that danced across the sky for her Kokum are now dancing for her as she navigates through life.”
–Melanie Jewell
The mural was officially unveiled in September 2022 with a ceremony featuring Blessings by Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers) and music by award-winning fiddler and composer Wesley Hardisty, as well as tourism and Indigenous leaders.
Video of the unveiling ceremony - courtesy of Northwest Territories Tourism
What motivates you to create as an artist?
The main reason I create art is that there are things that you can't say verbally and you can just express visually. For this mural in particular, I was really touched by a close friend of mine who helped me with the write up and whose mom was also in residential schools. When she told my story to her mom she started crying because a very similar story happened to her, but could not really express it. This is one of the reasons I make art, to express myself and make people feel seen and connected.
How did you get involved in the project?
The VMF team got in contact with Strong People, Strong Communities, a grassroots Indigenous led project. I had already worked with them last summer on a mural and we really enjoyed working together, so they put my name forward to represent the North. The partners who supported this project, Destination Indigenous and the Northwest Territories Tourism, helped me get to Vancouver.
In July we also did a ceremony at Harmony Garden on the North Shore held by artist T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss to welcome me to the traditional unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlil̓wətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She showed me around the community garden they share, explaining about the different native plants, and it was really lovely.
I have a lot of people who really supported me and who I’m grateful for in this project. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
How did you decide what to depict in your mural?
This is my second mural I've worked on, but the first one was of a much smaller scale.
I decided to tell this story because I feel it’s both a personal story, but also a part of Canadian history that it’s still affecting people to this day. It really affected my mom and my family growing up. The first time I heard about it was five years ago, because she wasn't able to share it when I was younger. Also at school in the 90s they weren't teaching or talking to us about residential schools.
Tell us more about the style of the mural.
For such a dark subject, I wanted to go for a more playful, lighter style, sort of speaking to my inner child. The design is bright and cheerful, and I like that it comes across almost like child painting or an illustration from a children's storybook.
I wanted to share this story in a whimsical lighter way, representing my grandmother and all her children as bears because I think bears are powerful animals. I’ve seen them often growing up in the North and it’s my mom’s favourite animal.
What was your goal at the beginning of the project?
Honestly my main goal was just to see it through and see the mural completed, and the VMF team really helped with that! The public was also really supportive and encouraging. I remember this gentleman who thanked me for sharing my art with the community and that really stood out to me because I found it incredibly meaningful.
How has it been working in Vancouver?
It was quite challenging mentally and physically. Having to work in that kind of heat was a first for me, so I had to acclimatize to that. I’m also not used to noise pollution, since I live in a very quiet and peaceful place and I find the city energy can be very chaotic and stressful at times.
Besides that, working on Main Street was really convenient because all the coffee shops and stores were so close. I really enjoyed working with Ariel Buxton, the Lead Production Painter, she was so motivated and positive. I also want to thank the VMF team, in particular Brit, Natalia, and Mavreen, for being so helpful and encouraging, I learned a lot from them.
Part of Vancouver Mural Festival 2022, the project was commissioned by NWT Tourism in partnership with NWT Arts Program in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Government of the Northwest Territories (ITI, GNWT), and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
Find the mural at 2940 Main Street, Vancouver.
About the Artist
Melanie Jewell is a multimedia artist based in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. She sources inspiration from the landscapes, animals, and sunsets of the North. Nature offers infinite sparks that light her creative process, from the dark, star sprinkled winter sky to the experience of breaking trail into the unknown forest. Her animal skull series explores the anatomy of local animals, including: lynx, beaver, and bison. She documents seasonal, regional moments by painting on black backgrounds and patterning with small, repetitive marks.
She most often works with mixed media, utilizing a variety of surfaces for canvas, but most often cold press watercolour paper, canvas, and wood panel.