Guests arriving at Concordia's Otsenhákta Student Centre (OSC), an on-campus resource for Indigenous students, will now be welcomed by a new mural at its entrance, created by Inuk artist and MFA student Jason Sikoak, BFA 23.
Sikoak, an interdisciplinary artist from Rigolet, Nunatsiavut, completed their undergraduate degree in Studio Arts and Art History at Concordia before beginning their master's in Fibres and Material Practices. They were also among the artists recently selected to submit a proposal for the bronze medallion to be integrated into the newly renovated Henry F. Hall Terrace.
Artist Jason Sikoak standing beside the mural he created.
Donated by the Movement to End Homelessness in Montréal with support from MU Montreal, the mural is a section of a larger piece that Sikoak created in October 2025 for the National Conference on Ending Homelessness.
A collaborative creation
For Sikoak, the mural's new home carries special meaning: from the beginning of their studies at Concordia, the OSC then called the Aboriginal Student Resource Centre was key to adjusting to life at the university and in Montreal.
"It was that tether I needed, coming to university in a new city as a mature student," Sikoak says.
"I want every Indigenous student to know that this is a place to come for safety, for clarity, for guidance and just a sense of community."
A large face in the mural's top corner represents Elders and ancestors, while the figure standing in the river was inspired by Sikoak's summers spent fishing for trout and salmon and their felt connection to the land and water.
Through the centre of the mural runs a black strip: a void representing disconnection from tradition, community and belonging, caused by the ongoing effects of colonialism.
During its initial creation, Sikoak invited conference participants to fill that void with affirmations.
"Maybe when somebody looks at it, they can feel a connection between what they lost and, hopefully, what they could gain if somebody gives them a little help," Sikoak says.
Honouring the moment
The mural was formally unveiled on April 9 at the centre's end-of-term feast, where students, staff and members of the broader community gathered to honour both the artwork and the accomplishments of Indigenous students.
Students Arlo Price and Alex Kack, along with OSC manager Cheyenne Henry, performed "Strong Women's Song" with hand drums to thank Sikoak for the piece. Elder Don Barnaby (Mi'gmaq, Listuguj; now living in Kahnawà:ke) shared his own story along with words of inspiration.
Nina Segalowitz, BA 99, performed Inuit throat singing and reflected on her experience as an Indigenous student at Concordia, noting the sense of recognition and representation she felt seeing the mural.
"I wish we had this mural back in 1995," she says. "To have Inuit art, by an Inuk artist and contemporary art that's the message we need to share. We're contemporary; we're adaptable.
"It gives me the message that the people who are in the space understand who I am. And that's a really big thing in student life."
Price (Anishinàbeg, Kitigan Zibi; Haisla, Kitamaat), a linguistics student, says the mural has transformed the space leading in to the centre.
"It's very beautiful. I like the face it's very comforting," he says. "It's such a 180 when you're coming from these bare, white hallways and you come into the atmosphere of the OSC. It's so homey in here. We're expanding some of our space; it's a visual representation of that."
Shaped by community
For Henry, unveiling the mural at the feast reflected the same community spirit that shaped its creation.
"All of the conversations that Jason had creating the mural, all the prayers and blessings all of it went into this piece and we get to carry that here," she explains.
"It was community that made this happen, from the beginning to getting it on that wall. And our community will take care of it and honour it for years to come. I'm very proud of that."
Learn about services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students at the Otsenhákta Student Centre.
