My lantern offers an Indigenous perspective on the history of the Exchange District. The first panel is dedicated to the sacred relationship between First Nations and the Bison who sustained us. This panel serves as a reminder that the people of Manitoba owe their existence to the bison, feeding us through the harshest of winters, offering their fur for warmth and their skin for housing. Every part of the bison had a use and was honoured.

The second panel represents the era of the Red River Settlement. Voyageurs travelled and portaged and brought furs, food, and supplies to the people living in the area of Winnipeg, creating the foundation that our city was built on. This panel pays respects to the resilience and resourcefulness of the Métis people, and their role in shaping our city.

The last panel shows the bustling Exchange District in more modern times. Winnipeg had become one of Canada's fastest growing cities. The Exchange District's name originates from the Winnipeg Grain Exchange, the former centre of the grain exchange in Canada. However, growth does not come without a cost. This depiction of progress calls for us to reflect on the sacrifices of Indigenous people. This lantern serves as a reminder that the city's success is rooted in a history marked by colonization.

My intention with this lantern is to encourage people to reflect on the past and present, and to envision a future that acknowledges and respects the contributions of the Indigenous People.