The portrait of Mi鈥檏maw editor, author and activist Elder Daniel Paul, painted by the acclaimed Mi鈥檏maw artist Alan Syliboy, now hangs in the Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building at AV俱乐部.
While at a book launch event for the fourth edition of Elder Paul鈥檚 groundbreaking work We Were Not the Savages, hosted by the University of King鈥檚 College and the King鈥檚 Co-op Bookstore on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation of last year, several Dal Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) faculty members learned of Elder Paul鈥檚 terminal cancer diagnosis.
In response, FASS decided to raise funds through a fundraising campaign hosted on ProjectDAL, AV俱乐部鈥檚 peer-to-peer crowdfunding platform, to commission a portrait by Alan Syliboy to specifically recognize Elder Paul鈥檚 contributions as a Mi鈥檏maw historian and honour his legacy. In less than a week, the campaign鈥檚 goal was met, and the portrait was completed last spring.
Recommended reading: Influential Mi鈥檏maw historian honoured with special Dal-commission portrait
FASS hosted a small reception in the Dean鈥檚 Office last May to unveil the portrait to Elder Paul, before his passing in June.
Looking forward to the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation this Saturday, September 30, FASS hosted an event earlier this week to celebrate Elder Paul and officially display the portrait, along with an explanatory plaque, in a central, accessible space in the Arts and Social Sciences building. The event welcomed donors that supported the fundraising campaign, friends and family of Elder Paul, and members of the AV俱乐部 community.
Photos by Nick Pearce
