Dalhousie University Unveils Sacred Teachings Through New Public Art Installation at Killam Library

A transformation has taken place on the imposing brutalist walls of the Killam Memorial Library. Seven circular paintings now decorate the library’s exterior, adding vibrant colour and meaning to the space.

These eye-catching artworks are the creation of Millbrook artist Lorne Julien, known by his Mi’kmaw name, “Warrior on the Hill.” Each painting features a different animal on a bright turquoise backdrop.

But the paintings are more than just decorative pieces; they embody the Seven Sacred Teachings of the Mi’kmaq or L’nu’k.

Rooted in the interconnection with the land and the natural world, the Seven Sacred Teachings — honesty, respect, wisdom, love, humility, courage, and truth — are embodied by the animals depicted in Julien’s artwork. Julien notes that this is not the only interpretation — there are different versions of the teachings for different regions.

Dalhousie’s Director of Indigenous Community Engagement Catherine Martin expressed her excitement at the addition of the artwork and teachings, saying it made her want to dance to a ko’jua song. She asks that the Dal community “embrace these teachings to make it a more peaceful place for all by practicing the teachings.”

For Julien, this project was about more than art; it’s about infusing spaces with new light, sparking discussion, and encouraging people to look within and reflect on their own lives.