Kevin George is an Anishinaabe and Nehiyaw artist from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation who lives in Waterloo Region. In addition to his work at the University of Waterloo Libraries and other community involvement, he uses art to share Indigenous perspectives, spark dialogue and create spaces where people can connect with culture and community.

This year, Kevin was commissioned by the Reconciliation Action Partnership to create artwork for a bus wrap as part of the Every Child Matters campaign. The 2026 theme for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is "Taking Truth to Action," and through his artwork, Kevin encourages people to move beyond awareness and toward deeper reflection, understanding, and relationship-building. The artwork is rooted in traditional teachings and reflects both the harms caused by residential schools and the resilience of Indigenous Peoples.

As he developed the concept, Kevin considered two possible approaches. One was to focus on the painful truths of the residential school system and the traumatic experiences endured by Indigenous children and families. The other was to highlight resilience, hope, and the generations of Indigenous children who continue to thrive despite that history.

He ultimately chose to centre the artwork on connection, beauty, and possibility. Children featured in the piece represent generations of Indigenous youth, while faded figures in the background honour the children who were lost through the residential school system. Together, these elements acknowledge the truth of the past while looking toward a future grounded in healing and understanding.

In his artist statement, Kevin explains:

The piece acknowledges the profound grief carried by generations of Indigenous Peoples as a result of these losses. Residential schools disrupted relationships with family, culture, language, community, and land, creating impacts that continue to be felt today.

At the same time, the artwork is not solely about loss. It reflects the strength and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and the ongoing work of reclaiming what was taken. Through language revitalization, cultural practices, community connections, and relationships with the land, many Indigenous individuals, families, and nations continue to carry their traditions forward and create new paths.

As Kevin explained, "For generations, Indigenous people have been born into this legacy, grieving this loss. Only now are we starting to see a change. The people are reclaiming those gifts, recovering those relationships, and creating a path for future generations."

For Kevin, public art can play an important role in reconciliation. By bringing Indigenous stories, teachings, and perspectives into shared community spaces, art can encourage conversation, challenge stereotypes, and help people see Indigenous cultures as vibrant, living, and deeply connected to the future.