Aboriginal youth participate in unique project

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Eight young people are helping to beautify their city while learning some valuable new skills this summer.

In partnership with the government of Canada and numerous local sponsors, the city of Merritt has commissioned a master muralist to paint larger than life murals of the country music stars who have performed at the annual Merritt Mountain Music Festival, and eight Aboriginal youth have been invited to work alongside.

"Michelle Loughery is teaching the young people about painting and becoming a muralist, but the project is accomplishing much more than that," said Linda Kay Peters, administrator for the Walk of Stars Youth Mural Project. "It's also giving them an opportunity to be part of a team that's creating a lasting legacy in our community, and for each of them personally, it's starting them on a path to a successful future."

This year marked the first phase of a five-year plan that will see the creation of 60 larger-than-life murals of the greatest country music artists who have graced the stage at the annual festival. The murals have begun to appear on the outside walls of buildings throughout the downtown, which is becoming known as the country music capital of Canada.

The project officially kicked off on Feb. 1, when the government of Canada sanctioned the Merritt Walk of Stars Youth Mural Project with a federal grant that would help to facilitate the hiring of eight youth at risk, the project administrator and Loughery. The community of Merritt, including various local businesses and citizens, have committed to raising the additional funds required to complete the project.

The eight young people, who are all from the area, except for one Saskatchewan man, range in age from 16 to 30.

"One very important thing to keep in mind is that all of these participants have taken the initiative to apply for our program in an attempt to change their lives. That in the end is what this program is all about," said Peters.

All of the youth will work for 30 weeks on the project, not only painting with Laughery, but also completing a variety of job and life skills training. The short-term goal of the project is to inspire these youth to go back to school, to set career goals, and to find worthwhile employment, either as entrepreneurs or for an existing business. The long-term goals are to continue the project to help build the foundations for both a tourism-based local economy, and for a partnership between the community and its youth.

Roy Spahan and Phoebe Archachan are two of the youth involved in the project.

"I've been interested in artwork for a while, so I'm really enjoying this experience," said Spahan. "I hope to have a part in all six murals that are scheduled to be completed in this first year, including Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw and Ian Tyson. These murals are going to put Merritt on the map."

He is also looking forward to the other courses that are part of the project, such as job search techniques and life skills courses.

Archachan and others in her group painted a whole area of back alley by a restaurant, which greatly enhances an otherwise depressing section of downtown. The multi-talented artist is also the writer for the project's Web site at www.merrittmurals.com and has submitted articles to the local paper.

"Working on an eight-foot by nine-foot painting on the back of one building was really interesting. This is a fun project and it keeps me out of trouble," she said. Other paintings have been completed on the window at the chamber of commerce office and the local elementary school where the children took part in the painting.

The program is helping her to decide which direction her job placement might take her when the project is completed.

"It's given me lots of options, from graphic design to more serious artwork, so the experience is valuable," she said.

A documentary, the brainchild of Roy Spahan based on his personal experiences, is being prepared fr possible filming in elementary schools. The children will be urged to follow a positive life's pathway and stay away from drugs and alcohol. All the youth appreciate the contribution of Loughery, and they have formed a supportive and caring friendship with each other and have pledged to carry the lessons learned out into the community and teach others similar skills.

People all over the Merritt district are getting excited about the project, said Peters. "As they see the quality of the work, the original reluctance and misgivings about the success of the project is eliminated and they become enthusiastic."

But most important, the young people are showing that their determination, dedication and a gallon of paint can go a long way to brightening up the city for everyone, she said, adding that barriers between generations are coming down as the murals evolve.

"We are getting rid of some of the old stereotypes by showing the residents of the area that these youth can carry out a project, from start to finish, and make the world a more pleasant place while they are doing it."