Another mural by Ty Guy. This mural project was done in collboration with Cornerstone Youth Centre and Calgary Arts Development. Inspired by Renee Young’s testimony – an indigenous woman from the Blackfoot nation of Siksika. Her testimony is one of hardship and overcoming. At 3 years of age, she witnessed a family member end their life in front of her. The men of her tribe expected her silence, and she faced constant physical abuse, and isolation.
Suffering from great trauma and deep depression, she turned to alcoholism to find solace. It was in the year of 2012 she found hope in “Jesus Christ.” After this spiritual awakening, she gained a strong foundation, sobriety, and stability. Renee now travels around the city of Calgary and neighboring counties seeking out lost relatives and other indigenous youth to help support them. She has worked in the Health care system and now cares for women experiencing homelessness in her role at the Mustard Seed’s women shelter. Renee is a beacon of hope for women all over, and especially young indigenous girls.
Renee faces discrimination even from some of her own peoples because of her faith in Jesus. Among some of her people, Christianity is perceived as a “white man religion” , which has become a popular opinion even among non-indigenous populations. Jesus, however, was Jewish, and Christianity began in the Middle East in Israel.

There are 1.8 million indigenous peoples within Canada according to the 2021 census. 81000 indigenous people reported that they practice their native spirituality. That is 4% of the indigenous population. 26.9% of indigenous peoples hold to a Catholic affiliation and an equally large portion to a Christian one. 47% do not hold to any religious belief or practice. link
Christianity is one of the national religions of the indigenous peoples. It is an important part of their culture. Although government and residential school programs did have a terrible part to play, many indigenous peoples had positive interactions with Christian missionaries or fur traders from the European continent. This was how the Metis culture was born link. The indigenous peoples continue to practice the Christian faith despite any negative experiences they may have had. This is because of the truth of the Christian message. The gospel message is one of God making peace with mankind by paying the price for our failures. War, murder, famine, all existed in the Canadian indigenous cultures prior to colonization because human nature is inescapable. The gospel message brought hope of redemption for all cultures.
“…I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism35but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” Acts 10:34-35
Renee’s grandparents were Blackfoot and Christian missionaries who helped the people of the Siksika nation. Elder Vincent Yellow Old Woman, who I had the privilege of interviewing for this mural, is Renee’s great uncle. Elder Vincent is a residential school survivor, but he still chooses to identify as “Christian” and even speaks at many churches. He is a prominent figure around Calgary. Since Elder Vincent already has many platforms to share his testimony, I chose to give a platform for Renee to share her testimony. I feel honored to be able to share it with you.