Editor’s Note: As we celebrate Mi’kmaq History Month in October, celebrating Indigenous culture and contributions, we're proud to introduce some members of our community.
Tyler Rankin, a second year StFX Bachelor of Arts and Science in Health student from Lawrencetown, NS designed this year’s Orange Shirt Day t-shirt for Truth and Reconciliation Day that is available for sale at the StFX Store. He is also president of the StFX Indigenous Student Society, and pursuing a career in health, focusing possibly in physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
Tyler Rankin came to StFX to study health. For his post-secondary education, he says he knew he wanted to live away from home, but not too far away and StFX provided that. “I have family living in the nearby reservation, Paqtnkek, and it is nice to visit them when I am ever feeling homesick. I love the beauty of StFX, with its architecture, history, and gardens. It is a beautiful place to study and live, and you truly feel as though you belong here.
“My experience here so far has been all worthwhile. I feel lucky to have found a close group of friends that I can say are now a part of my extended family. The Kiknu Center provided me with comfort and cultural acceptance, and it was nice to bond with a community you can relate to,” he says.
When Mr. Rankin first came to StFX, he wanted to become a nurse, but he says he saw how many other career options there are in the health field and his career path has been changing, focusing possibly on physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
Mr. Rankin says he saw that Terena Francis, StFX Coordinator, Indigenous Student Affairs, was looking for an Indigenous student to create an Orange T-shirt design that would be sold at the StFX Store for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
“I didn’t think much about it until one night, I had a dream about Truth and Reconciliation Day, and this design popped up in my head that I quite liked. When I woke up, I spent 20 minutes doodling this design I had in my dream and sent it to Terena Francis; she loved it. The StFX Store saw it and loved it, and now we are here.”
POWERFUL AND SPIRITUAL SYMBOL
He created two designs for Truth and Reconciliation Day—the first one was from his dream, which has the StFX logo in the middle, using the colours of the medicine wheel, which is a powerful and spiritual symbol of Indigenous culture. Mr. Rankin says it can represent many things such as the four directions, sacred medicines, elements, seasons, and life stages.
“I wanted to surround the logo with the words “Every Child Matters” and eagle feathers, which are meant to symbolize our message being carried far and wide. I knew I wanted to create a second design, so I came up with the dream catcher design because of its widespread symbolism of Indigenous culture and incorporating some parts of the first design into the dream catcher.”
FINDING ARTISTIC SIDE
Mr. Rankin says he did not realize the impact that his designs would have and the opportunities they would open. “Seeing them being sold in the StFX Store is an honour and I am happy that they are selling well. It still does not feel real, and I think it will finally settle in once September 30th has happened,” he says.
“I believe creativity and art are a major part of Mi’kmaq culture,” he says. “Growing up, I never personally saw myself as an artistic person, but as a creative person. I am observant and love using my head to come up with new ideas, and I thought I struggled to put my ideas in a physical form. Creativity runs in my family, being the second cousin to the famous Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy. I believe everyone can be creative, but only some people can use their artistic abilities to create art. Creating these Orange T-shirts has helped me find the artistic side that may have been in me this whole time.”
Mr. Rankin recently joined the executive team as the president of the Indigenous X Society. “We are all treaty people so I encourage everyone who wants, to sign up and help with the Indigenous Society if they can.”
SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON INDIGENOUS CULTURE
He says it is more than important, it is crucial we shine a spotlight on Indigenous culture “because I don’t think we ever got a spotlight.
“In Mi’kmaq culture, we never wrote anything down because we learned through stories that were shared from generation to generation. So much knowledge has been lost over centuries of oppression from colonists. It is crucial that we spread awareness of the culture, knowledge, and history that we still have from those who survived the torture of colonialism. Generational trauma is real, and I have lost a side of me that we were told to be ashamed of for a long time. Now, it’s time to start relearning our culture and history because we are all treaty people, and I am proud to be Mi’kmaq.”
His advice for those wanting to learn more about the culture, people and history?
“Go to the events that will be happening during Mi’kmaq History Month, go to a powwow, and don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Visit nearby reservations and have a conversation with an Elder. There are many things you can do, and many ways to learn.”
