High school student uses art to express her Indigenous identity
A 17-year-old high school student from Edmonton is creating vibrant artwork to express her Indigenous identity – incorporating animals specific to Indigenous culture such as eagles, bears and wolves.
Jewel Auger, a Grade 12 student at Louis St. Laurent Catholic High School, began using art as a way to express her Indigenous identity. Combining drawing tips from online sources and using her own creative mind, Auger began drawing to “represent an underrepresented group.”
The young artist, who describes herself as shy, said she felt cautious at first to open up about her identity since she was one of few Indigenous students in her school.
“There are barely any Aboriginal kids in my school – like, very little,” she said.
The artwork was originally created for her close family members, but she soon received plenty of support and excitement from teachers and classmates.
“It felt really nice to know students and other teachers saw it. It lets me know I’m doing something right,” she said.
Auger told CTV News Edmonton that her mother taught her about residential schools and the intergenerational trauma involved. Auger’s mother and grandmother attended residential schools, which she says affected their entire lives.
After the remains of 215 children were found on the grounds of the residential school in Kamloops, B.C.,Auger said it created a conversation amongst younger students.
“I think it’s good that it is in the news and even on social media. Almost every day I go on Instagram and I see people in my school posting little posts about what happened in B.C.,” said Auger. “It’s fairly shocking because we don’t really get recognition – especially teenagers. They don’t really post about that stuff.”
Shannon Loutitt, a grad coach, says art for Indigenous people plays a very important role in representing culture, spirituality and language.
“People like Jewel highlight that people like us also carry intergenerational strength given to us by our ancestors,” said Loutitt.
Michelle Zapisocky, an art teacher, said she had the privilege of watching Auger grow from a quiet junior high student to a young woman.
“It’s fantastic to have other students and teachers see this side of Jewel because she is a quieter student. I feel her voice has become louder and louder through her artwork,” said Zapisocky.
Zapisocky said she was patiently awaiting Auger’s decision to express her Indigenous identity through artwork.
“It made me really proud when all of a sudden she came to school and had this really beautiful eagle piece and her explanation of how the eagle travels through darkness and trials and tribulations. He moves into becoming this beautiful multi-coloured being in the end,” she said.
Loutitt says Auger acts as a positive role model for other Indigenous youth. Describing the younger generation as “carrying the torch” for revitalized ways of knowing and being.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.