Aboriginal Housing project seeking artist for mural

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on April 8, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Aboriginal Housing Society will be opening their Iinii’toyis-Buffalo Lodge multi-unit housing unit and are putting a callout for artists to be part of a mural project.
Aboriginal Housing Society provides sustainable housing solutions built on a cultural basis.
Melissa Many Fingers, vice chair and treasurer for the society, says Aboriginal Housing provides support for Indigenous people who need to move from reserve to more urban settings for economic reasons such as work or school, which can be challenging.
“We just want to be able to give that equal opportunity and gear our housing needs more cultural based, so that way we’re serving our clients in the best way we can.”
Aboriginal Housing offers a graduate-style program where people who are struggling are able to get into low-income housing and receive supports. Once they start to get back on their feet, they are able to move into the next step of affordable housing and eventually go on to a home ownership program.
Many Fingers says this graduate support system is what separates AHS from other agencies that work in housing supports.
“We want to encourage them to keep striving for that next tier and that’s what I’m seeing at Iinii’toyis, because they’re thriving already and helping one another and that’s what the vision was.”
Aboriginal Housing will offer tours of the facilities on April 11 at 2 p.m. for artists interested in the mural project
Artists wanting to apply are asked to outline their expression of interest, which includes a written description of a design concept that appeals to a broad audience and reflects themes on Blackfoot Territory, Sikóóhkotok (Lethbridge) or Indigenous/Metis culture. Artists are also asked to provide a CV or outline of artistic interests and activities, contact information including e-mail, mailing address and phone number along with five images of current or past works that are labelled with title, date, size, duration and materials used.
All submissions must be submitted as a single PDF file to hrcommittee@shaw.ca by April 26.
Those selected will be working with elders from Kainai, Piikani and the Métis Association to make sure designs align with how each of the groups want to be seen.
Many Fingers say this project are giving hope to Elders, as many of them are survivors of Residential Schools.
“So seeing that effort from levels of government and funding agencies, it makes them hopeful that there is going to be real solutions for the people.”
Iinii’toyis was funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) along with the City of Lethbridge. A grand opening is expected to take place later this spring.

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