Three elders were recognized yesterday (Tuesday) as Smithers Secondary unveiled the newest additions to the Honoring Our Elders series.
“It’s been running for almost 20 years now. The conversations around it started in 2005 and the first portraits were unveiled in 2006,” said Art Teacher Perry Rath.
The indigenous elder recognized this time was Doris Rosso, who’s worked with the school district on creating indigenous curriculum.
The other elders (non indigenous) were Gail and Richard Jenne who worked on starting the Midsummer Music Festival among other music-related achievements.
“The mission of the project is to honor living elders, so we try to make sure the people who are nominated to try and catch them while they’re still alive,” said Rath.
Unfortunately, Gail passed away before her and her husband’s portrait could be unveiled.
Juel Gould and Nevaeh Michell were selected to do the portraits.
Michell said she was given a few images to choose from for the Jennes and enjoyed working on the portrait.
“Trying to figure out their facial shapes was fun. Trying to make it exactly like them,” she said.
Rath added being the art teacher helps with selecting the artists as he gets to see how their work develops.
The unveiling also happened to mark 25 years since the totem pole outside the Della Herman Theatre was erected.
It was put up following vandalism that occurred in the school’s past.
“They’re two independent projects but they’re still working towards the same goal,” Rath said.
He hopes the paintings will be hung outside the school by the fall.
Something going on in the Bulkley Valley Lakes District you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
