Local Musqueam artists unveiled a new mural at DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society Friday. 

Lead artists Chase Gray and Nova Wolf were commissioned by the non-profit to paint the community mural at the DIVERSEcity Surrey Community Campus in Newton.  

The mural is named Siyey虚别 in the Musqueam鈥檚 h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 language, said artist Nova Wolf.

"The name of the piece is meant to represent family," Wolf said. They spoke about how an elder taught them about how "even if you just meet a person once every time you see them, you're bound by kinship. You can claim them, and they're your family." 

Two-spirit Musqueam and Tsimshian lead artist Chase Gray said they love doing public art and murals, but he usually does digital work even though his "heart is in painting." 

"This mural came about just looking at the land and seeing how everything works together and trying to infuse story into the work as well, which is why we have the two-headed serpent," Gray said.  鈥淚 think of riverbeds, sunlit mornings and stories told for time immemorial. On the bottom is a representation of the land, and the s蕯i:涩q蓹y虛 (double-headed serpent) carving out the creeks with its massive body, leaving the seeds of the m蓹胃k史蓹y虛 plant behind it, which will grow into the namesake of Musqueam," Gray said. 

"Then, of course, there is the river, the reeds and the creatures who care for the river. We have ooligans swimming in the river, which once sustained the people. We have a canoe headed to visit relatives across the waters, being visited by Killer Whale along the way. Eagle and Raven are keeping watch from the skies, while Heron keeps watch from the waters of the Fraser River, which flows throughout the province connecting many different peoples. Every little thing is connected in some way, ensuring growth and sustainability.鈥�

Neelam Sahota, DIVERSEcity CEO, described the unveiling of the mural as the "forward to the work that takes place" here. "Because it grounds us to the indigenous stories, culture and traditions on this very land we call home," Sahota said.  

"As an organization, when we talked about our commitment to truth and reconciliation, wanting to make sure that these are not hallboards for us, but that we actually do the work in a myriad of different ways, and we show up in in different ways for one another," Sahota said. 

"DIVERSEcity recognizes that our work takes place on the ancestral, traditional, unceded territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, Musqueam and Tsawwassen First Nations. The knowledge traditions and ongoing contributions of these communities is significant in providing context to the work that we do here at DIVERSEcity, we recognize the importance of reconciliation has in building connected, stronger and healthier communities."

Several seniors who participated in some of DIVERSEcity's programs also attended the unveiling. 

The project was supported by a for the mural and community workshops. "You can see that those are very effective grants, and it really allows us to be able to do some pretty neat working together," Sahota said. 

Surrey city councillors Linda Annis, and Mike Bose and Jessie Sunner, MLA, Surrey-Newton and Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, were also in attendance.

Sunner said, "This mural stands as a testament for unity and also as a testament to the resilience and strength of our indigenous communities, reminding us all of the importance of honouring those that were here before us and that are here today, and the important work that we must do every single day to ensure that we are working together."

On Feb. 7, DIVERSEcity will host  event to honour the community. There will be an opportunity to share in music, food, dance, hear from inspirational speakers and so much more at the free event.

The event takes place during Black History Month to showcase and highlight individuals who have exemplified "Black excellence" in the last year. While held in Surrey, the province's city with the largest Black population, the event is open to all and will highlight the work of Black Canadians throughout the province and country.