From now until next spring, two SkyTrain cars are wrapped in the Indigenous art of in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
TransLink has also unveiled limited-edition shirts designed by that are sold in support of Orange Shirt Day.
Campbell's SkyTrain art features "a powerful design," TransLink says, "inspired by stories passed down from the artist鈥檚 grandfather, telling the tale of a canoe that saved his life and returned him to his homelands."
This is TransLink鈥檚 first public art installation on a SkyTrain car. In the past, TransLink has partnered with artists to create art for buses, including a SeaBus vessel, and at stations, but never before on a SkyTrain car.
Campbell is excited to see her art exhibited as a travelling gallery on SkyTrain cars throughout Metro Vancouver.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be viewed in different neighborhoods by different people,鈥� she said in a news release. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a public exhibit on public transportation.鈥�
The artist's biography and statement are featured inside each of the two decorated SkyTrain cars.
鈥淭he intent behind my artwork is to honour the strength and love that my community embodies,鈥� stated Campbell, a Heiltsuk, Anishinaabe and Wuikinuxv artist.
鈥淚ntergenerational trauma is an undeniable experience for Indigenous Peoples, but I want to highlight our stories of perseverance, grounded in love for one another, and our connection to our homelands.鈥�
The shirts designed by Tashoots are available at the online , with sales supporting the Orange Shirt Day Society.
The orange heart on the shirt represents the intergenerational trauma of residential schools experienced by Indigenous children and their families. The colour black symbolizes mourning for the children who could not carry on and tell their stories, while white signifies healing and new beginnings for those who survived and lived on to tell their tales.
鈥淚 hope to be an inspiration for people back home,鈥� says Tashoots, a residential school survivor. 鈥淲hen people wear this shirt, I want them to engage in positive thinking, especially if they are residential school survivors. Wear it with pride. It supports the residential school survivors.鈥�
TransLink officials say that in planning and managing the region's transportation system, the transit authority has an important role to play in supporting reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
鈥淲e recognize our role in moving reconciliation forward in meaningful ways,鈥� stated TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. 鈥淥ur hope is that these artworks designed by local Indigenous artists Rose Tashoots and Shonta Campbell (Kishiqweb) will remind us of the important and ongoing work that is needed to support reconciliation.鈥�
On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Monday, Sept. 30), holiday fares will be in effect for TransLink service. Customers will only need a One-Zone fare to travel across all zones. Bus, SkyTrain and SeaBus will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule, and the West Coast Express will not be operating. The TransLink Customer Service Centre, Access Transit Customer Care Office and Lost Property Office will be closed. Service returns to regular weekday schedules for all modes on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with regular fares in effect.
