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Issoitapi Elementary School
By : Chris Herringer Design
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN 19th edition
Discipline : Communication & Branding
Categories : Environmental Design / Signage, Wayfinding & Murals : Gold certification
Background and Objectives
Kainai Board of Education (KBE) is a school district serving the Kainaiwa Blood Tribe in Stand Off, Alberta, Canada. KBE is part of the Siksikaitsitapi Blackfoot Confederacy and Blackfoot Treaty (Treaty 7) territory. The mission and values of the KBE are to provide a traditional environment to learn the Blackfoot way of life through the transfer of knowledge for lifelong learning. Issoitapi Elementary School provides a new home for kindergarten to Grade 5 students of the Kainaiwa. The new 6,100-square-metre school replaces aging infrastructure with a modern, energy-efficient building designed to enhance learning, wellness, and connection to culture.
The vision for Issoitapi, articulated by Elders, educators, and community members, was “A Blackfoot place that is the heart of the community; a place to gather, learn, share stories that are sustainable, and meaningfully connect past, present, and future healthy generations.” Through a collaborative engagement and development process, they identified the need to embed Blackfoot culture and values through art and architecture. The Issoitapi Art Program was developed with the objective to create meaningful experiences for the school community with students at its centre, reflecting Niitsitapi values and stories, and to illuminate the Blackfoot worldview through the interpretation and creative spirit of Blackfoot artists.
Art Development
This is uniquely expressed in the school through the commissioned work of 6 Blackfoot artists: Ahkoiinnimaki, Star Crop Eared Wolf; Apoiskumapi, Adrian Stimson; Koo Kii, Ryan Jason Allen Willert; Mano’taanikaapi, Bryce Manyfingers/Singer; Naatoíyiki, Cheyenne McGinnis; and Nato’yi’kina’soyi, Hali Heavy Shield. Additionally, various murals by unknown artists from the former Aahsaopi Elementary School were photographed prior to its demolition and reprinted for Issoitapi. The commissions were awarded to the artists by direct invitation, based on the nature of their art, their experience and availability to work on the project. See supplemental PDF.
Our firm developed the art plan, establishing the curatorial direction, opportunities, and context for each commission, then facilitated the work of each artist and managed the program’s implementation.
Outcome
Honouring the diversity of Blackfoot voices and culture, the program has helped facilitate meaningful placemaking and community building at Issoitapi, instilling a strong sense of identity, belonging, pride of place and culture. The art encompasses themes of Blackfoot land and environment, language and values, history and resilience, ceremony and storytelling. It is an inspiration to the schoolchildren, their families, staff and the larger Kainai community.
Collaboration
Communication & Branding : Chris Herringer Design Ltd. (CHD)
Artist : Ahkoiinnimaki, Star Crop Eared Wolf
Artist : Apoiskumapi, Adrian A. Stimson
Artist : Koo Kii, Ryan Jason Allen Willert
Artist : Mano’taanikaapi, Bryce Many Fingers/Singer
Artist : Naatoiyiki, Cheyenne McGinnis
Artist : Nato’yi’kina’soyi, Hali Heavy Shield
Engineering : Signum Engineering
Industrial designer : Entro
Manufacturer : ABL Imaging
Manufacturer : Custom WP Lab
Manufacturer : F&D Scene Changes
Manufacturer : Grafitti Imaging
Manufacturer : Knight Signs
Other : Kyle Beal Art Services
Manufacturer : Multi Design Graphics Inc
Manufacturer : Norberg Hall Gallery
Manufacturer : Resolve Photo
Manufacturer : Superior Cases
Manufacturer : Upper Canada Stretchers
Project manager : Larkspur Projects
Photo credit