Star Brides’ Park is a space created to complement the nearby mural by the internationally-recognized Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy. His art is influenced by the indigenous petroglyphs (rock drawings) of Nova Scotia and pride in his cultural heritage. The mural depicts the Mi’kmaq legend of the Star Brides.
The park and mural contain many traditional Mi’kmaq symbols:
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the design of the park reflects the ceremonial smudge bowl, an important part of a traditional greeting ceremony;
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In the bottom of the bowl is the eight-point star, an icon that represents the sun, the compass points and the peoples of the world;
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the badger in the mural is a jokester who encourages inappropriate behaviour on the part of the sisters in the legend;
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the red crane in the mural is Alan Syliboy’s signature symbol;
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the pine trees in the park and which figure in the legend are a prominent species in the forests that were part of the Mi’kmaq world.
Enjoy your visit to this often-overlooked green space in town.
** Congratulations to boxerbailey and freaky frog on their shared FTF! **