Sault artist raising money for residential school survivors
A Sault Ste. Marie woman is raising money for residential school survivors through her art. Her sketch of the shoe memorial on the front steps of Algoma University continues to bring in donations - even though she had no intention of selling this particular piece.
Amy Williams said her art project began with a suggestion from her friends that she do a portrait of the residential school memorial at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. After working on it for several hours, she posted her finished piece on social media. What followed was a number of requests from interested buyers. But, she was hesitant to sell.
"I thought, no, I don’t want to do that, I don’t want to dream about even making any kind of money off of this," Williams said. "But then it just took me a second and I thought if I did make some money, then I could really donate to one of the causes that would help survivors."
Williams began selling prints and has so far collected more than $5,000 for the Shingwauk Residential School Centre. And now, her original portrait will be given a permanent home in the Shingwauk Hall exhibit at Algoma University.
"I couldn’t be more flattered, more honoured that they would want my piece hanging there in their permanent exhibition," Williams said. "I couldn’t be more touched."
Asima Vezina, the president of Algoma University, said Williams' portrait will make a great addition to the Shingwauk exhibit.
"She’s really captured a moment in the site’s history and I think in the history of Canada and she’s done so with such good intentions," Vezina said. "I think it’s just fitting that she be recognized for that."
Vezina said donations to the Shingwauk Centre have spiked in recent weeks.
"We’ve had a lot of donations from community members as well as from foundations," she said. "I think because people see the important work that the children of Shingwauk Alumni Association and former residential school survivors are doing and planning to do on the site."
Meanwhile, Williams said she will continue to sell prints of her residential school memorial portrait through her Facebook page until June 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.