Newly installed artwork in the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning sparks reflections on lifelong learning

A series of paintings by Dr. Jennifer Leason, PhD, was blessed by local elders before being installed in February on the Wall of Honour in the lobby of the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary.

The paintings came to be when Leason, an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts, was working on her first children’s book in collaboration with language speakers from her home community (she is a member of the Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba). Meennunyakaa/Blueberry Patch (Theytus Books, 2019) was written in both English and in her native language of Anishinaabemowin. When the publisher asked about an illustrator for the book, Leason decided to “give it a go,” pick up some paints and illustrate the book herself. Four of those paintings make up the Lifelong Learning Journeys series that now hang in the Taylor Institute atrium.

In 2018, Leason had an exhibition of the paintings from Meennunyakaa at the Taylor Institute, and Dr. Leslie Reid, PhD, vice-provost of teaching and learning, saw an opportunity for a permanent home for the work.

“We are grateful to have these beautiful paintings by Jennifer Leason hanging in our building as a reflection on lifelong learning and Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, Connecting and Doing," Reid says. “Jennifer's work speaks to our own values of curiosity, transformation and continual growth as we continue on our collective and individual learning journeys.”

Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, vice-provost of Indigenous engagement, says the paintings are a model to recognize different nations’ perspectives about the stages of life. “They serve as an example of how Indigenous art can be incorporated into teaching and learning and of how we can expand engagement with Indigenous peoples, knowledges and practices," he says.

According to Leason, the paintings represent the four hills of life and lifelong learning: (from left to right in the above image) Conception/Child, Youth, Adult and Elder.

The paintings also contain significant symbolism to Leason. The use of the colour turquoise represents water — “it’s the colour of my mother and the waters we are all born into” — while the represents Mother Earth and the land, and yellow represents sunshine and hope.

The blueberries in the paintings are representative of lessons we learn throughout our lives. “Throughout our journeys, we’re picking blueberries that are like little lessons and teachings that we’re collecting in our baskets of knowledge,” says Leason.

Leason’s hope is that Indigenous students especially will see themselves represented in the pieces and that it will signal a sense of hope, belonging and connection. “I wanted to convey that knowledge is not just in the institution. It is inherent in all things,” she says. “That’s what the paintings really represent, that teachings and teachers are all around us. They’re in the wind, the rain, the land and the animals. And it’s in that ultimate connection to these beautiful relationships that will really transform and make an impact in our communities.”