A new mural is nearing completion at 33 Central School in Fillmore, the culmination of a community-wide project supported by a $10,000 grant from SaskArts. Set to be unveiled on May 2nd, the mural is meant to be more than just a piece of visual art—it’s a celebration of Indigenous culture, a legacy of learning, and a symbol of unity for students, staff, and the wider community.
“We were selected by SaskArts and provided over $10,000 to do an Indigenous mural,” explained Principal Kylee Carver. “We have Brianna LaPlante out of Regina—she is our artist—and then Kem and Dorothy Joya from White Bear, they are the elders that are involved in the project. So, we've collaborated and come up with this amazing design, and then every student and staff member and even some community members have been able to take part in the actual painting, so everyone feels a piece of ownership in it.”
The mural, currently about two-thirds complete, has become a true collaborative effort—one rooted in community, culture, and education. For Carver, the idea for the project has been years in the making.
“Part of our school division's goals and ministry goals revolve around Indigenous education,” she said. “It's difficult to find ways to honour that and do it properly. We want to do it right. I've been thinking of this mural project for quite some time.”
The project found its momentum last December after encouragement from SaskArts, which noted the southeast region was underrepresented in grant applications. The resulting funding helped bring Carver’s long-standing vision to life.
The mural's creation began with meaningful conversations between Carver, the artist, and the elders. “We sat down at the table talking about what was important, what did we want our kids to learn, how did we want to involve them, how do we honour treaty teachings,” she explained. “It was interesting because a lot of the teachings are different from one community to the next, so we had to agree on what concepts we would include.”
For Carver, the project is especially important in a rural community where students don’t often have opportunities to deeply engage with diverse cultures.
“Our students are pretty homogeneous,” she noted. “They tend to be a little bit cautious when it comes to other cultures… I really wanted elders and artists to be in our school and make a connection with our kids.”
That connection will be on full display on May 2nd at 2:15 p.m., when the school hosts its official mural unveiling. The event will include a presentation on the story behind the artwork, followed by a viewing and planned activities. Media, community members, school division representatives, neighbouring reserves, and SaskArts delegates have all been invited.
“I am so excited. I can hardly wait,” Carver said. “The project isn't finished yet, but you can see it coming together, and it's so gorgeous. It is beyond my expectations. It's beautiful.”
But for all its artistic value, Carver sees the project as something even deeper.
“One of the biggest pushes behind the project was I just really want my students—especially my Indigenous kids—to see beautiful and successful and knowledgeable Indigenous people leading in their community,” she said. “I wanted my budding artists to see that big dreams are possible and that being an artist is a legitimate career path. And I wanted just this lasting legacy on the wall at 33 Central that tells us all people are welcome, and we will always honour the commitments of truth and reconciliation.”