Making Memories: Mural by renowned artist Jerry Whitehead unveiled in Melfort

Whitehead said he spends a lot of time painting murals that often contain part of his culture with both traditional and contemporary styles. Another signature of Whitehead’s work is his bold use of colour, and he said part of the inspiration for that was watching powwow dancing during his youth.

The mural unveiled in Melfort on Thursday has been a process years in the making. Whitehead said he has been talking with representatives from the City, the Melfort Arts Council, and Sandra Dancey from the Northern Lights Gallery for about three years to see what could be done, and how to get the funding to make the project happen. Whitehead sent in sketches of the mural about a year ago, and the feedback was positive, so he began work on the mural in August in the Historic Post Office.

(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

Whitehead is a member of the Peter Chapman Band and has many fond memories of the area.

“The mural is about dancers, but there’s also a section in there that’s – it’s like a childhood memory for me of Melfort,” explained Whitehead.

There are several details on the mural that outline Whitehead’s goal of making it a welcome sign of sorts for the city. On one of the dancers, he wrote ‘Tansi’, which is Cree for ‘Hello’.

“It’s kind of hidden within the dancers; people will have to find the letters.”

Also hidden in the dancers is the word ‘Welcome’ in English.

Whitehead’s mural also contains a fire engine to represent the fire hall, a couple of RCMP officers, and a scene of the Melfort Exhibition, which is a childhood memory for him. Another memory of his youth was painted on the mural: the Historic Post Office, which to a young Whitehead seemed like the “tallest building in the world.” The Exhibition Grandstand is also included and was also a massive structure for Whitehead in his youth.

The artist also wrote ‘Melfort’ in one of the dancers on the mural, and he sees the work as a welcome to the city as you come in from the west side. He wanted the mural to go on the fire hall for a few reasons, not the least of which was its location as you enter the city.

“That’s the first location I chose when I was first thinking of doing a mural there,” Whitehead said. “I’m lucky I got it, so hopefully it’s the beginning of more, that’s what I want.” He added it would be nice to see more murals and colour as you drive through Melfort.

While much of the mural is about fond memories from Whitehead’s childhood, it also honours reconciliation and is a tribute to the EMTs, firefighters, and RCMP officers who helped during the mass stabbing incident at James Smith Cree Nation in 2022.

“I hope people realize that the people from Melfort helped a lot on that tragic, tragic day, and I hope they enjoy [the mural] for a few years.”

The unveiling came at an appropriate time, with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coming Sept. 30. A round dance and ceremony will be held at Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) the day prior. Whitehead said having the date of the unveiling so close to Sept. 30 was by design.

“Let’s start it off in a good way, let’s try to connect our communities a little more.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Making Memories: Mural by renowned artist Jerry Whitehead unveiled in Melfort

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