June 20th, 2025

By Maggie, a Grade 12 student at Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS)

While working on their Passion Project for the Grade 11 “Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices” course in the fall semester, two Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS) students, Harrison and Connor, researched the process of commissioning an Indigenous artist to create a mural.

Their goal was to make space for prominent, authentic Indigenous representation in the school.

After conducting research, the students developed a plan and began outreach, receiving support from the school staff. Grade 12 EDSS student Maggie, a member of Long Point First Nation from Winneway, Quebec, was commissioned to take on the project.

According to Connor, Maggie has “forever changed the visual landscape at EDSS through their mural”.

The mural, which Maggie has named “Maang”, translates to “Loon” in Ojibwe.

“The Loon is a significant bird in many Indigenous cultures, symbolizing wisdom, guidance, and a connection between the physical and spiritual world,” said Maggie. “Its haunting call and deep ties to water make it a messenger and a spirit guide in many traditions. The colours orange, blue, white, and black reflect different aspects of the Loon’s nature. Orange represents the warmth of the sun and the changing seasons, while blue symbolizes the deep waters and sky, tying the Loon to wisdom and intuition. White reflects its striking plumage and signifies purity and truth, whereas black represents the mystery of its call and its resilience in nature.”

Many Indigenous cultures recognize the Little Dipper constellation as “the Loon,” as its star formation resembles the bird in flight or resting on water. The North Star, part of the Little Dipper, has historically guided travellers, much like the Loon’s symbolic role as a navigator.

“Just as the Loon’s call echoes through the night, the stars in the Little Dipper shine as reminders of ancestral wisdom and the importance of staying connected to nature’s rhythms,” said Maggie. “Whether seen on a still lake or among the stars, the Loon remains a sacred and powerful figure in Indigenous storytelling and tradition.”

The mural, located in the English hallway of EDSS, is a proud step forward for the school as it recognizes Indigenous History Month and works towards Truth and Reconciliation.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student and is part of the Student Agency and Voice program. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.

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