Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport’s new international connections facility now features eye-catching artwork welcoming visitors to Mi’kmaw territory.
Passengers arriving in the newly renovated area are now greeted by a eight-metre-wide mosaic of a Mi’kmaw eight-pointed star, along with artwork on six pillars and 14 drums hung along the upper walls.
“We are committed to ensuring that those who come through our doors understand that they are in Mi’kma’ki,” said Tiffany Chase, the airport’s director of marketing, communications and customer experience.
The first phase of the project opened in July, allowing passengers arriving on select international flights to connect to domestic flights without having to exit and re-enter security and reclaim their luggage.
The International Connections Facility project received $8.3 million in funding from Transport Canada and $3 million from the Government of Nova Scotia.
Alan Syliboy and his son Evan Syliboy stand in front of one of the pillars featuring multiple pieces of artwork from Alan’s expansive career. (Sis’moqon/CBC)
The second phase, unveiled Friday, features a fully renovated international arrival space, an update the airport saw as an opportunity to share local Mi’kmaw art.
Artist Alan Syliboy’s work is featured throughout the space, with imagery on pillars and drums mounted on the wall; the pieces reflect milestones from his decades-long artistic journey.
“A lot of the art here is [from] highlights of my career,” said Syliboy, who is from Millbrook First Nation in Nova Scotia.
He said his work is rooted in extensive research, culture learning and collaboration, building his knowledge of the stories and images used throughout Mi’kmaw history.
“It’s important to me that what you see is actual Mi’kmaw culture,” he said.
One of the pillars at the International Arrivals Facility featuring a work by Alan Syliboy titled Round Dance Around the Sun. (Sis’moqon/CBC)
Syliboy said the location makes the work especially meaningful, as it introduces his culture to people who may be unfamiliar with the history and presence of Mi’kmaw people across Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq that spans much of eastern Canada.
WATCH | Alan Syliboy on welcoming visitors with art:
Mi’kmaq art and culture adorns new international arrivals area at airport
Alan Syliboy, a Mi’kmaw artist and elder, says the art is a new way to welcome visitors to the province. Joyce Carter, the president and CEO of the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, says the art helps create a sense of space. Watch their interview with the CBC’s Amy Smith.
He also welcomed the opportunity to share the space with Stephen Francis, who designed the large glass mosaic star on the floor.
“You cannot avoid this floor,” said Syliboy.
“He’s represented in this place and it’s great to be with an artist of that calibre.”
Francis, who is from Eskasoni First Nation, said he began creating his interpretations of traditional Mi’kmaw stars in 2007 after the idea came to him in a dream.
Each star is handcrafted, cut, sanded and assembled by hand, sometimes taking upwards of 100 hours to complete.
“Each piece, I put so much time into. It’s a work of love,” he said.
Stephen Francis, a Mi’kmaw artist from Eskasoni First Nation, is well known for his intricate wooden eight-pointed stars. (Submitted by Stephen Francis)
He said the eight inner pieces of each star represent people close to him who helped shape who he is.
“The airport star… the pieces do represent my family but for anybody looking at it, it can represent their family,” said Francis.
The project was supported by Indigivisor, a We’koqma’q First Nation-based company that works to connect businesses with Indigenous communities through hiring, procurement, education and relationship building.
Founder Nadine Bernard said the airport approached Indigivisor to help bring meaningful cultural inclusion to planning their new space. She helped bring airport officials and community members together to collaborate on a vision.
Nadine Bernard from We’koqma’q First Nation is the founder of Indigivisor, which helps build relationships between Canadian businesses and Indigenous communities. (Sis’moqon/CBC)
“It’s very emotional to be in here and to go from paper to product,” said Bernard.
“One of the things about reconciliation is that our history and our story was hidden and not written by us. Now we are reversing it in this place where we are writing and telling our story, which is honesty and truth and it’s coming from our people.”
