Soon the grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery will be covered in thousands of orange ribbons, each representing the unmarked grave of an Indigenous child.
Tamara Bell, a seventh-generation Haida matriarch and inter-generational survivor of Canada’s residential school system is the artist behind the ceremony. Taking place this Wednesday, (Sept. 29) at the South Side of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Bell was inspired to organize the ceremony by Canada’s upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Bell is also the artist responsible for the bright orange "Every child matters" mural on Commercial Drive created earlier this year.
Bell believes once all Canadians acknowledge the truth about the history of Canada and its treatment of First Nations peoples, the country can move toward reconciliation, reads a recent statement from the artist.
As well, a ‘Truth & Reconciliation’ basket will be placed close to the ribbons so that anyone who would like to share their written comments, thoughts and prayers can do so by putting them in the basket.
