The Story behind the Mural

Over the past school year, Chief Dan George Middle School engaged in a powerful and creative collaboration with local Indigenous artist Rain Pierre (sɬə́məx) from the Katzie First Nation. Rain first visited our school in the spring of 2024, where he shared his personal journey of transformation—leaving behind a path in civil engineering to follow his passion for art after a life-changing awakening in 2016. His story resonated deeply with students and staff, inspiring a school-wide art contest centered around the theme “The Spirit of Chief Dan George Middle School.”

Students were encouraged to express their interpretation of the school’s spirit through original artwork. The response was outstanding, with numerous submissions showcasing the creativity, insight, and artistic talents of our learners. Two student pieces were selected by Rain to be incorporated into a larger mural project, which he designed and brought to life over the course of the year. This collaborative mural, unveiled in June 2025 in our Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), stands as a vibrant and lasting representation of our school community’s values, identity, and connection to local Indigenous culture.

Rain’s contribution goes beyond the mural itself—it has left a lasting impression on our school by encouraging students to follow their passions and embrace their unique stories through art.