‘It causes harm and is racist,’ critics say
A 73-year-old mural at the University Of Alberta showing scenes of indigenous and European settler history in the region has been accused of causing “harm” and, as it ages and needs refurbishment, may be covered up or removed by the institution instead.
The “Alberta History” mural depicts a group of Native Americans in loincloths in apparent prayer around a clergyman holding up a cross and a flag.
In another part of the scene, a white man holds up a Bible as Native Americans in traditional indigenous clothing listen on. There is a mix of teepees and colonial housing dotting the background, as well as scenes of agriculture.
“Those who want to see the mural removed express that it causes harm and is racist with the portrayal of Indigenous history and European settler history in Alberta,” the university states on its website, adding others want to preserve it for its historical and educational value.
The university is considering several different options: leave it, cover it up, leave it as is but add interpretive panels to put it in context, remove it and keep it in storage, or refurbish it.
“Unveiled during the opening of Rutherford Library in 1951, the Alberta History mural in the Rutherford South Reading Room was a gift … by artist Henry George Glyde, a faculty member and head of the Department of Art,” its website states. “In the decades since, there have been conversations and reflections from University of Alberta faculty, staff students and many artists and writers on how the work portrays Indigenous and European settler history in Alberta.”
True North reports the main concerns regarding the mural is it’s a racist depiction of Indians and glorifies colonialism, but some scholars want it preserved.
Odile Cisneros, a University of Alberta modern languages professor who wants the artwork saved, told the news outlet the artist was actually respectful of the topic.
“He is taking a cue from those artists who thought they were doing something revolutionary by actually representing Indigenous people in a public space where they had not been represented before,” Cisneros said.
The university is collecting feedback on the topic through the beginning of August. If the university covers up the mural, it wouldn’t be the first.
As The College Fix’s Campus Cancel Culture Database chronicles, several U.S. universities have covered up or removed historic murals deemed problematic over the years, mainly due to depictions of slaves or Native Americans.
MORE: UW-Stout’s frontier paintings – deemed ‘harmful’ – slated for ‘controlled’ campus rooms
IMAGE: University of Alberta YouTube page
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