Katzie artist Rain Pierre and his loved ones were on hand to help celebrate the newest piece of public art in Maple Ridge, as the city unveiled the piece that will greet visitors to the Albion Community Centre.
The brief ceremony offered a glimpse at the passion that went into the project. First, brother Terrence Pierre offered traditional singing and drumming for a crowd of about 40 at the unveiling.
Then Katzie Elder Cyril Pierre, the artist’s father, offered his insights into the meaning of the ceremony in the context of reconciliation.
He called the day’s presentation “Very powerful, and it’s been long awaited by our people.”
And he shared the words of a proud father.
“They all have something powerful they carry, my five sons, and they share it with the world.”
Then came his son Rain Pierre, who spoke about the mural, which features a momma bear and a cub.
“I dedicated this one to my mom, because she’s important to me, and she’s carved out such a beautiful life for myself and my brothers,” he said. “And it’s kind of perfect timing, because Mother’s Day is this weekend.”
He said the bears are looking in opposite directions as a reminder that we need to watch out for each other. They are also wearing headbands with three bands of cedar that represent the past, present, and future.
Pierre is getting growing recognition for his work, and will speak at University of Cambridge in England before students doing First Nations studies.
“I didn’t think it was going to get this big,” he said of his work. “On May 27th I fly away, having my first art show in England, and I’m going to be featured at a festival…”
“The reason I’m telling you this is because I grew up on a small island called Barnston Island. And it’s 10 km around, and an even smaller place than that, you’ve got Katzie No. 3 [reserve]. And I’m this First Nations person that is riddled with anxiety, amongst other things, and somehow I’ve made it to the global platform. And Maple Ridge has been a part of that, since the beginning.”
He noted that street banners were among his first projects for the city, and many more have followed in both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
“More importantly, I want to represent who and what Katzie First Nation is, and what we’re able to give,” he said. “I want to prove not just to First Nations people, but to anyone in the world, that you are capable of doing anything you want with your life, regardless of where you come from.”
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