When you look at the floor of TD Station this week, you see the power of collective action. Bayside Middle School students transformed the arena into a massive tribute. Using more than 10,000 cardboard squares, these Grade 7 students built a giant mosaic to honour Andrea Simon, a Sixties Scoop and residential school survivor from Abegweit First Nation in Prince Edward Island.

As reported by CBC News, the project is part of the national Every Child Matters movement.

Connecting with History

Before placing a single piece of cardboard, the students met Simon through a video call. They listened to her story in complete silence. Simon shared her experiences of losing her mother at a young age and feeling invisible in an institution. Because she has autism, she spent her days confined to one room and faced severe bullying at her residential school.

“It was really sad to hear about her story and how she was treated,” student Ivey Gi told CBC. “I think from that video call, I learned about how Indigenous people in general were treated and how they went through difficult lives.”

The Power of Small Actions

The installation is the fifth iteration of an art series called Every Child Matters The Power of the Individual to Effect Change. Artist and educator Bonny Hill leads the initiative. She reuses the black, grey, and orange cardboard squares each year.

Hill explained that Simon’s family helped her prepare for the portrait by finding regalia and making bead earrings. Simon told Hill she felt beautiful for the first time wearing those clothes.

The sheer scale of the project requires teamwork. Groups of students took turns adding six inch squares to the arena floor.

“It’s quite a large undertaking,” Hill said. “Everyone contributes a little bit and the end result is quite impressive. And I think that’s kind of a message for young people who feel like they don’t really have much power to effect change that if everyone does a little, they can do big, difficult things.”

A Lasting Impact

The students want their work to educate the public. Laila Misk noted the importance of remembering Indigenous history to strengthen community bonds. Prince Cosay hopes the project’s message expands beyond New Brunswick.

“I want people to know the history of Indigenous people and I want them to know that Indigenous cultures are important and they’re a part of Canada,” Ivey Gi added. “So in order to preserve that part of Canada, we need to honour and remember them.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Every Child Matters mosaic project?

It is an annual art installation where students create a large scale portrait of an Indigenous person using thousands of cardboard squares to raise awareness about residential schools.

Who did the Saint John students honour this year?

The students honoured Andrea Simon, a Mi’kmaw elder and residential school survivor from Abegweit First Nation in Prince Edward Island.

Where was the mosaic built?

The students assembled the 10,000 piece mosaic on the floor of TD Station in Saint John.

How did the students connect with Andrea Simon?

The students met Simon through a video call before starting the project. They listened to her share her experiences as a residential school survivor.