The new mural adding colour to a Winnipeg tunnel
A splash of colour now lines the walls of a pedestrian tunnel in Winnipeg.
Take Pride Winnipeg officially unveiled a two-sided mural in the Fermor Tunnel on Thursday. The tunnel, which connects the St. Vital YMCA and the St. Vital Library, was modernized in 2020.
A portion of the mural at the Fermor Street pedestrian tunnel. (CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)
(CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)
Artist and knowledge keeper Jeannie Whitebird and Manitoba artist Mandy van Leeuwen led the work. In addition, several students from Glenlawn Collegiate were involved in the creation of the art, which measures 120 feet.
“We’re in a time, where we all need that extra love and support, in whatever way that we can get it, in an unconditional loving way,” Whitebird said.
The mural features large drawings of plants that are used as medicines by Indigenous healers, along with animals including the hummingbird, the dragonfly, and the painted turtle.
A portion of the mural at the Fermor Street pedestrian tunnel. (CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)
(CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)
Whitebird, from Rolling River First Nation, said Indigenous representation was essential for the mural.
“In order for these beautiful projects to happen, when the topic is Indigenous topics or Indigenous themes, there has to be a First Nations person at the table,” said Whitebird.
The mural was originally going to be painted last year, van Leeuwen said, but the work was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health orders.
“It gave us the time to reflect on how we could make it better for the year to come,” she said.
Last fall, modernization work on the tunnel was completed at a cost of $300,000, funded by the City of Winnipeg.
A portion of the mural at the Fermor Street pedestrian tunnel. (CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)
(CTV News Photo Scott Andersson)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ministers Joly, LeBlanc travel to Florida to meet with Trump's team
Two members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet will be in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday to meet with members of Donald Trump's team.
India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S.
Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two 'entities' in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border.
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute
A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said.
Christmas Eve stowaway caught on Delta airplane at Seattle airport
A stowaway was caught trying to nab a ride on a Delta Air Lines plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Christmas Eve.
2 minors, 2 adults critically injured in south Calgary crash; incident was preceded by a robbery
Multiple people were rushed to hospital, including two minors, in the aftermath of a serious vehicle collision on Thursday morning.
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.
Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to waste
Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don't know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark.