This mural, created for École John Henderson Middle School, showcases the seven house groups within the school. It reflects the understanding that although we all carry different strengths, gifts, and identities, we are each equally important to the whole.

Indigenous teachings of balance and interconnectedness are prominent throughout the mural. The Medicine Wheel and the teaching of Turtle Island reflect the understanding that everything is connected; the land, the people, and the roles we carry within our communities. The mural also acknowledges that this school stands on Treaty 1 territory, and that the histories and presence of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples are foundational to this place. Living with truth means recognizing that our actions impact the community around us and the land we share.

As we move through the four seasons, and through night and day, each animal has a specific role within its ecosystem. They are all different sizes, live in different environments, and carry different strengths, but they are all equally needed and each plays an important role in our world. We cannot have one without the other.

This mural speaks to equality through difference. My hope is that this mural reminds people that they are part of something larger than themselves. Our diversity is not something that separates us, it is what strengthens us. When we recognize that every being has purpose and value, we create balance, and build a community that is rooted in respect, love, and a shared responsibility.