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PHOTOS: UNBC wishing for reconciliation by creating 1,000 origami ravens

First Nations centre welcoming students, staff to learn about a dark past
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer

Truth and reconciliation continue to be two of the firm foundations coordinated within studies at UNBC, giving students and instructors the chance to understand one of the darkest times in Canadian history.

The raven, a key symbol in many First Nations cultures, at one point, stole the sun to bring light to a darker world.

In this context, the Prince George post-secondary school is hoping to shed light on reconciliation by combining the majestic bird with an ancient Japanese practice in hopes of creating 1,000 origami ravens.

Legend says if someone folds 1,000 origami cranes, they will be granted one wish.

So if UNBC is able to get students and staff to fold 1,000 ravens in one year, it’ll be part of the university-wide wish for reconciliation.

“I have made one myself and it’s very difficult, but now, because I’ve led so many sessions, I’m actually getting really good at it,” said Aboriginal Student Engagement Manager Beverly Best when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters if she herself has made a raven. “One of the biggest messages we want is that it’s not how many ravens that you can make or one person can make, it’s how many people can make one. So we want people to only make one and that’s it, and then spread the word and have those conversations.”

Best has been working with UNBC’s First Nations Centre for five years; she also earned her elementary teachers degree from the school in 2012.

She’s confident in students’ willingness to learn about residential schools and how it impacted First Nations across the country, and understand little steps like making origami cranes can show unity in the fight for truth.

If the school gets to 1,000, Best also hopes to see them put up somewhere in the school for all to see.

“They see the ravens that are displayed in our window at the First Nations Centre, which then they ask,” she explained. “We’re also sharing it on social media and we’re hoping even when the ravens are done, we’re going to prominently display them somewhere in the university that has an information board right next to it that says where they came from and why they’re made.”

By sparking dialogue through the folding of the ravens, Best says, much like reconciliation, the task will not be easy.

“No matter how difficult it is, don’t give up [...] That’s the point. Reconciliation is not easy and it’s not going to be easy, but if we work together, we can make it happen and the end result is going to be beautiful.”