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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A young Fort Smith artist will be recognized in Ottawa this month for a drawing that recalls bygone days.

Melanie Jewell, a young artist in Fort Smith, is being recognized at Rideau Hall in Ottawa for her drawing of a family living on the land in the 1960s. - photo courtesy of Melanie Jewell

In the summer, Melanie Jewell's artwork won in a category of the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge, an annual national competition for youth.

Jewell won in the arts category for ages 19 to 29.

She will be in Ottawa on Dec. 10 for a reception at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston where she will receive a medal for the Governor General's History Awards, which go to the winners of several history contests for students.

"I'm really excited," she said of the recognition for her work.

Her drawing is of the Bourkes, an aboriginal family originally from Fort Fitzgerald, Alta. The drawing represents a time in the 1960s when they lived on the land.

In the drawing, a father and mother, and their two daughters, are holding rifles used for hunting. The mother is also displaying a wolf pelt.

"For me, it symbolizes the history of Fort Smith and how people traditionally used to live off the land," said Jewell, a member of Salt River First Nation.

She noted the drawing is also a way of showing people not to take for granted how easy life is now compared to how hard people had to work to survive in days past.

The artwork is based on a photo by John Dougherty, a Fort Smith resident who took about 1,200 photos of people in and around the community.

"I asked him for my last year of art school if I could draw them," Jewell said. "So I did a series of drawings from those photographs."

Her winning work is a mixed-media drawing combining water colour, ink, micro lines to create texture and colour pencil.

"I think drawing that picture really made me humble of how lucky we are and how grateful I am right now for this life that we're living," Jewell said.

She also found the photo appealing because of how the two girls were holding rifles, and looking comfortable and happy with them.

Jewell said her artwork is also a symbol of the importance of family.

The 25-year-old graduated from the University of Victoria in April with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and is now working for the Forest Management Division of the GNWT.

On Dec. 9 in Ottawa, Jewell will also attend a national history forum on the First World War at the Canadian War Museum.

At the Rideau Hall reception the next day, Jewell is scheduled to deliver a speech and represent youth in the history writing and art competition.

"It's supposed to be what my thoughts are on the award and what history means to me, my recognition and my time in Ottawa," she said. "I still have to write the speech. I have a rough idea."

The Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge is presented by the Historica-Dominion Institute, the Canada History Society and Enbridge Inc.

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