Designing a mobile mural

The artistic creativity of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth has brought people closer to their own cultures.

A collaborative mural was created during the Lanaudière Youth Forum. The mural was an opportunity for youth from the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Lanaudière, La Piaule Youth Centre and the Greater Joliette 12-17 Coffee Club to get involved in their community, to make themselves heard and to contribute to organizing youth events.

“Creating this mural was meant to foster youth reflection on the role their ancestors played in developing the city, and to reflect on their own role today, as well as the one they would like to play in the region’s development,” says Dominique Massé, chair of the forum.

For two years now, the mural has been showcased in different locations in Joliette, Quebec, to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous people closer through this enduring youth initiative. It is currently on display at the Cégep régional de Lanaudière.

“This is a unique opportunity to share memories, and to imagine a common future for our peoples,” says France Robertson, director of the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Lanaudière.

The Youth Council of the Centre d’amitié autochtone de Lanaudière is comprised of about a dozen members who meet monthly to plan engaging activities for Joliette’s Aboriginal youth. Together, youth can voice their own needs and concerns before discussing solutions to advocate their rights and interests at local level.