KPU instructor’s Indigenous artwork featured in new TransLink Mark V trains

Kwantlen Polytechnic University Indigenous studies instructor Brandon Gabriel is one of five artists whose Indigenous artwork is featured inside TransLink’s new Mark V SkyTrains, as part of an initiative to share Indigenous perspectives through art.

Gabriel’s artwork, entitled “Clearing the Path Forward,” is featured on some of the side panels of the windscreens near the train doors. The artwork is inspired by the story of the Thunderbird, which is part of Coast Salish cosmology.

“In the beginning of time, when the world was created, Raven brought the first sunrise and the first moonrise, while Thunderbird brought order to all the chaos,” Gabriel says.

Through his work, Gabriel depicted the story of how Thunderbird helped build the first longhouse for humans, which is symbolic of clearing the path from obstructions and helping people meet their goals.

“I thought this part of the story would be appropriate, since SkyTrain is a major transportation hub for people going to and from work or school … so they can make life better for themselves or remove barriers for themselves,” he says.

Gabriel, who is a visual artist with 32 years of experience, says he received an artist’s call out to submit designs and was later selected by a panel of jurors, who resonated with his proposed artwork.

Gabriel says initiatives like this allow opportunities for Indigenous artists to have their artwork showcased in large public places and provide visibility to Indigenous communities.

“As an instructor of Indigenous studies in these unceded territories of Indigenous nations, and being a member of these nations, I can personally attest to the weight and impact of colonization in a place like Vancouver, where the Indigenous presence of the land has literally been vanquished by colonization.”

The initiative is the first time Indigenous artwork has been featured inside SkyTrain cars, TransLink spokesperson Thor Diakow wrote in an email statement to The Runner. 

“This initiative shares Indigenous perspectives through art, has created meaningful opportunities for Indigenous artists, and enhances the transit experience by connecting riders to the stories, identities, and histories of the lands they move through,” Diakow wrote. 

“TransLink is honoured to collaborate with these artists …. As the Mark V trains travel through the traditional territories of many First Nations, the presence of Indigenous artwork inside these cars acknowledges the lands we travel across and honours the communities whose cultures continue to shape this region.”

Gabriel says he hopes SkyTrain riders appreciate the creativity and artistry of all the artists and that the artworks make their travel pleasant, educational, and appreciative of Indigenous culture.

“I hope that people who are visiting these lands, who take the SkyTrain, who are just passing through, or who have come to this place because of its beauty [and] the spectacular sights this place has to offer, see something special and unique.”

Gabriel dedicates his artwork to his wife Melinda Bige and children Jamie, Isadore, and Lene, who were his biggest inspirations.

To view the works from all five artists, visit www.bit.ly/translinkart.