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Inuvik Satellite Station Facility gets a makeover

Samantha McKay

Five antennas at the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF) are getting a makeover.

Sheree McLeod designed this antenna artwork. It represents the Inuvialuit blanket toss tradition.
Photo courtesy of Peter Clarkson

"The project wasn't just to beautify, it was an engagement project as well," said ISSF station manager Jiri Raska. "The infrastructure is going to be around for decades to come, and it's growing and growing … so we want the community to be more engaged in this growing sector."

Raska said the project was inspired by a similar project in Alice Springs, Australia. Artwork was designed by a local Indigenous artist, Roseanne Kemarre Ellis, for an antenna in Alice Springs to recognize the role of the Arrernte people where the antenna is located.

Ronnie Simon designed a Gwich’in-inspired antenna with ice fishing, caribou and the Richardson Mountains.
Photo courtesy of Peter Clarkson

He said Inuvik's antenna art project aims to honor local cultures as well.

Three of the antennas have already been decorated, and the other two are slated to have art applied in early 2019.

One of the ISSF antennas, designed by Ronnie Simon, depicts a traditional Gwich'in scene with ice fishing, caribou and the Richardson Mountains in the background.

Another antenna, designed by Sheree McLeod, showcases a traditional Inuvialuit blanket toss scene.

 

The third antenna, designed by students in East Three Secondary School's art club, features a map of the Northwest Territories, with symbols to represent each community.

The final two designs will feature traditional Metis icons and a scene that depicts Inuvik's iconic yellow, red, green and purple Smartie houses.

When all five pieces of art are installed, there will be an unveiling ceremony next summer.

Raska said the ISSF is growing and will continue to engage community members while it grows.

"We don't want it to seem like some ominous government facility where no one knows what's going on. We want to further a sense of community ownership over the facility," said Raska. "The sky isn't the limit here, space is the limit."

Raska said tours of ISSF are offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and feedback from visitors has been good.

"People are taken aback, they think it's amazing," he said. "The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We want to continue this across our other stations in Canada with other Indigenous groups and the communities there as well."

When other antennas are put up at ISSF in the future, Raska said they will reach out to the community for more artwork.