Student-designed medicine wheel art installation unveiled at Cambrian College

SUDBURY – A new permanent installation of Indigenous art, created by a former student, is now greeting visitors at the front entrance of Cambrian College’s main campus.

Cody Bradshaw, who is Mi’kmaq and graduated from Cambrian’s Welding and Fabrication Technician program in the spring of 2023, designed and built a metal medicine wheel during his time at the college, along with images of four animals considered sacred in Indigenous culture.

“My mind and soul continuously told me to get involved as I’ve been on my journey of Indigenous identity and to put my mind and hands to work creating a new vision and contributing to Cambrian’s Wabnode Centre for Indigenous Services,” explains Bradshaw. “What I didn’t expect was how massive of a project this would be and the impact this would ultimately have on the Wabnode Centre and my own personal growth.”

The sacred animals – as well as the directions, elements, and colours within the medicine wheel – pay respect to the Indigenous teachings that are relevant to this area, Anishinaabe. North is represented by white, sweet grass, and the bear. East is represented by yellow, tobacco, and the eagle. South is represented by red, cedar, and the deer. West is represented by black, sage, and the buffalo.

“The Mi’kmaq medicine wheel is slightly different,” adds Bradshaw. “The similarities, however, are the support systems spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally represented in the medicine wheel. For myself, the teachings showed survival to victory.”

“I am honoured to see such an amazing piece of art from one of our graduates on display here at Cambrian College,” says President Kristine Morrissey. “It shows incredible artistic and manufacturing skill. To have such a prominent, inspiring and important installation at our main entrance makes a strong statement that we value our Indigenous students, staff, faculty and visitors.”

Bradshaw spent close to 100 hours on the project, beginning with drawings on paper which were then transferred to AutoCAD (computer-aided design) and finally to the CNC Plasma cutting machine in the Welding and Fabrication lab to produce the final product. Along the way he received guidance from Welding and Fabrication Technician program technologist and part-time faculty Michael Caruso, as well as from Kelly Senecal, Wabnode’s recently retired cultural coordinator.

“It has been an honour and a pleasure to support Cody in the completion of this awesome project,” says Caruso. “Cody’s contribution to the indigenization of our campus will be felt for years to come by all those who bear witness to this display.”

To learn more about the Wabnode Centre for Indigenous Services, visit cambriancollege.ca/wabnode.

To learn more about Cambrian’s skilled trades programs, including Welding and Fabrication Technician, visit cambriancollege.ca/programs.