Affinity unveils reconciliation artwork
- EFN Staff | June 15, 2018
Earlier this week in Saskatoon, Affinity Credit Union held an artwork unveiling event to show their commitment to reconciliation.
A commitment to Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Affinity Credit Union has commissioned a piece of artwork by well-known artist, Ernie Scoles. The artwork was created to recognize Treaty 6 territory and homeland of the Metis people. The artwork will be displayed at each of the advice centres across Saskatchewan including the Affinity campus where the event was held at.
“In 2016, we took on our own pledge to try to help with the TRC challenges to businesses. It’s a very important journey for us,” said Mark Lane, CEO of Affinity Credit Union. “We believe passionately that Indigenous peoples are a part of our communities.”
A couple years ago, Lane had a chance to speak and encourage other credit unions to join their journey to reconciliation. A few weeks ago, at the national meeting with credit unions, their request was approved to join in solidarity for reconciliation.
“As this is important to Affinity, it’s also an important matter for all Canadian credit unions,” said Lane. “I don’t know if I can look my daughters’ or their children in the eye if knowing what I know today that we don’t do our part today to try correct the path…The celebration is an important part of our journey as an organization.”
The event which was held on June 13 began with an opening prayer from an elder followed by performances by fiddler Jordan Daniels and fancy pow-wow dancer Jennifer McGilvery. Artist Scoles did the honours of unveiling the artwork he created and explained how the piece is significant to the TRC.
“[The artwork] is about coming together not only in the business world but in the personal world as well. Getting to know each other, making friends and reconciliation,” said Scoles. “We’ve got the four feathers which represent the Indigenous aspect of the art. There’s four directions that show reconciliation happens everywhere.”
Individuals art pieces were handed out to each advice centre managers where they take them back to hang up in their businesses.