Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

Kamloops-born artist paints 215 portraits to commemorate findings at residential school

Sep 29, 2021 | 4:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Wednesday, Thompson Rivers University held an event ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Hundreds of students and staff attended the event outside on the Campus Commons, which featured drumming and singing of some local Secwepemc songs.

Kamloops-born artist Johnny Bandura painted 215 portraits – matching the number of possible gravesites announced by Tk’emlups te Secwepemc back in May – all of which he had on display on the steps of the Campus Activity Centre.

“Originally, I had only wanted to paint one picture,” Bandura explains. “I just happened to paint another one, and by the time I was finished the second portrait, I came to the conclusion I’d paint a single portrait to honour each of the children who were found on the grounds.”

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Bandura, who lives in Edmonton now, grew up in Kamloops. His Grandmother attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School, so he felt an immediate connection once the findings were announced.

“When the news came out about what had been happening there, I wasn’t completely surprised or shocked. I was really amazed at the numbers that were there – they weren’t accounted for and there was no records or documentation, and the fact [the burials] were unmarked, as well.”