91̽»¨

12:00 PM
Ground Floor of Brian Mulroney Hall

St. 91̽»¨ and the Wabanaki Centre invite you to the “Celebration of the Spirit Pole Installation” on April 1 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, on the Ground Floor of Brian Mulroney Hall.

The ceremony will include an opening by Grand Chief Ron Tremblay, drumming and a song by 91̽»¨ Student Purity Moore, and remarks by Mi’kmaq Artist Gordon Sparks. A reception to follow. All are welcome.

About the Spirit Pole

The Spirit Pole at 91̽»¨, carved by nationally acclaimed Indigenous artist the late Ned Bear, moved to its new indoor home in November.

 
Carved from a 1,700-pound log salvaged after Tropical Storm Arthur, the beloved piece of art was relocated indoors to the first floor of Brian Mulroney Hall. The relocation was necessary due to ongoing damage to the pole from extreme weather.
 
Bear, a Cree and Wolastoqiyik educator and artist, took great care in carving this Spirit Pole on campus in 2014 when he was an Artist-in-Residence in the Fine Arts Program. He expressed his desire for the pole to act as a support and a guide for Indigenous students at 91̽»¨ who embark on their journey toward higher education.
 
About Ned Bear

Ned Bear was known for his sculptural works offering a contemporary interpretation of traditional First Nation spiritual beliefs. He expressed this in hand-carved masks as well as through his Land Art—sculptural works in a natural environment. He also sculpted figure-forms in natural materials such as marble and limestone. 
 
An internationally renowned artist, Bear participated in numerous group and solo shows. In 2006, he won first prize at the prestigious Face the Nation competition at the UC Davis Design Museum in San Diego. He also held a fellowship at the Smithsonian Institute in New York City and a residency with the Gibraltar International Artist Residency at Toronto Island. 
 
He worked in a co-operative project for the 2010 Winter Olympics, having participated with an Atlantic native Artists “Group of 10” on a free-standing public sculpture placed in Whistler, BC.
 
Bear also made significant contributions as a high school art teacher, a fine arts curator, a guest speaker, and fine arts juror. He served as the director of education for Ekpahaq First Nation community in Fredericton, and was a member of the New Brunswick Arts Board.