2025 Career Fair Art
Corra Mack
"Ascend"
For this art piece, I felt it was important to showcase a symbol related to the foundational roots of Lethbridge: the Blackfoot culture. Although I am not Blackfoot myself, in some ways, I have been more influenced by and surrounded by teachings from this culture than from my own. During the three years I have lived in Lethbridge, the perspectives and lessons I’ve learned from Blackfoot people have helped me grow not only as a young adult, but also as a student. It has forced me to reflect on how the small northern Alberta town I grew up in has isolated us from Indigenous culture and traditions. I am very grateful to have been given such opportunities to learn and see new perspectives through my experience in Lethbridge. To approach this artwork with intention and meaning, I spoke to Elder Shay-Lynn Strikes With A Gun for guidance. She encouraged me to be authentic, transparent, and to speak honestly about how Blackfoot culture has impacted me personally.
When Blake Tailfeathers came to speak in my Indigenous Perspectives course about addictions and mental health, he spoke about healing circles and emphasized community involvement and support to facilitate the healing process. Disconnection from oneself and their culture can make one vulnerable to addiction, suicide, abuse, depression, and more. Reconnecting with culture through collective community support can be effective treatment applied to anyone. This differs from the Western culture of hyper-individuality, but it’s essential for helping professionals to understand Two-Eyed Seeing; a way of recognizing strengths of both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems by viewing the world through each perspective individually, then bringing them together to create a more balanced approach that benefits everyone. This is something that I will never forget and will carry with me through life.
Elder Cathy Hunt is another person who greatly influenced me personally. She gave me my first blessing last year, and when she held my hand afterward, she said something I’ll never forget: reconciliation is in my generation’s hands. The emotion that I felt in that room during the blessing is one that I can't explain, yet I will always remember. She told me she could feel my empathy, a moment I hold close to my heart. If it had not been for the University of Lethbridge, I would heave easily missed out on these impactful memories.
These powerful experiences shaped my artwork, Ascend, which is a Golden Eagle painted with watercolor and acrylic layers. “The Golden Eagle is a symbol of significant achievement” (Elder Francis First Charger, 2025). As a student at the University of Lethbridge, I think this symbol can speak to all of us. We are all growing, we are all achieving new knowledge, and we are all ascending into our futures as working professionals. Its upward flight reflects our collective journey as students, growing, learning, and moving intentionally toward our goals.