Art can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, magnifying the natural beauty of the world around us.
In honour of Indigenous History Month, we’d like to highlight the Indigenous artists, who bring to life the history and traditions of Indigenous Peoples with breathtaking art. We are proud to feature Indigenous art in the Orillia and Barrie libraries, where the installations create beautiful and welcoming library spaces.
In the Orillia Campus Library, across from the Library Service Desk, hangs an original painting by Chief Lady Bird. Chief Lady Bird is an Anishinaabe visual artist from Rama First Nation. The name of the piece is “Star Rider”, a vibrant painting of a loon soaring through the night sky carrying stars on its wings. Stop and look the next time you visit the Orillia Campus Library. The bold, cool-toned colours and meticulous line work are visually stunning. Artists tap into their creativity, experiences, imagination, and talents to put a piece of themselves on display, sharing their stories with others. It is a beautiful gift one can admire and appreciate.
In the Barrie Campus Library, we are excited to announce the installation of a new piece of art by Métis Artist, Christi Belcourt. Christi is a visual artist who uses a form of painting called “Dot Art” which mimics traditional Métis beadwork.
A print of Christi’s painting called “Getting the Messages of the Spirits” will be hung up on the wall on the left side of the entrance when you walk into the library. In this print, you can see many different representations of plants and animals, water, earth and fire elements that are symbolic in Indigenous culture and storytelling. Christi Belcourt is not only an acclaimed artist but is also a political and environmental activist who was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2024. She is the first Métis Artist to have a painting displayed in Rideau Hall, the residence and office of the Governor General of Canada.
It was also our pleasure to host "Ojiibikaawan: Echoes of Tradition." Two Georgian College students, in partnership with Indigenous Services, were awarded a $1000 grant from the Jane Goodall Institute. This funding supported "Ojiibikaawan: Echoes of Tradition," a First Nations, Métis & Inuit Student Art Exhibition, aimed at increasing the visibility of Indigenous art on campus. The display was set up in the front of the library. The exhibit saw many students and faculty pause to take in the student’s inspiring art. It was an honour for the library to be chosen to uplift Indigenous Student art on campus.
We welcome you to come into the Barrie and Orillia Campus Libraries to admire these works and their meaning, not only for Indigenous History Month, but all year long.
Art can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, magnifying the natural beauty of the world around us.
In honour of Indigenous History Month, we’d like to highlight the Indigenous artists, who bring to life the history and traditions of Indigenous Peoples with breathtaking art. We are proud to feature Indigenous art in the Orillia and Barrie libraries, where the installations create beautiful and welcoming library spaces.
Artists tap into their creativity, experiences, imagination, and talents to put a piece of themselves on display, sharing their stories with others. It is a beautiful gift one can admire and appreciate.
In the Barrie Campus Library, we are excited to announce the installation of a new piece of art by Métis Artist, Christi Belcourt. Christi is a visual artist who uses a form of painting called “Dot Art” which mimics traditional Métis beadwork.
In this print, you can see many different representations of plants and animals, water, earth and fire elements that are symbolic in Indigenous culture and storytelling.
Christi Belcourt is not only an acclaimed artist but is also a political and environmental activist who was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2024. She is the first Métis Artist to have a painting displayed in Rideau Hall, the residence and office of the Governor General of Canada.
We welcome you to come into the Barrie and Orillia Campus Libraries to admire these works and their meaning, not only for Indigenous History Month, but all year long.