Art Contest

Kiely-Shai Cairns

As part of its Reconciliation Action Plan, Trans-Northern Pipelines held an art contest based on the theme “Your Vision of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada” to support the growth and promotion of young Indigenous artists in our operating areas.

The winning entry was submitted by Kiely-Shai Cairns, a member of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation in Southern Ontario, guided by Anishnawabe traditions and values.

In her description, Kiely-Shai says:

“My painting symbolizes truth and reconciliation by presenting how the Indigenous people, community and culture are deeply rooted within the land and Mother Nature. My painting is a reminder that reconciliation is not fully finished yet, but steps have been taken to recognize and put Indigenous people in the right direction — but also remembering our history and still choosing to grow.”

About the piece

Artwork symbolism

  • The young girl along the tree trunk represents strength, growth, healing, and future generations.
  • The tree roots symbolize the many years of connection to ancestors, history, and tradition that can’t be erased. 
  • Joined hands show balance and reconciliation among different people.
  • The orange shirt is to remember, and honour loved ones, the survivors, those who didn’t have a voice, and those who didn’t make it back to their loved ones.
  • The turtle carries many years’ worth of Indigenous culture and knowledge; it represents responsibility in Indigenous cultures as humans are not just the owners of the land, but its caretakers and protectors.
  • MMIW brings attention to the loss of indigenous women and children, while the handprints remind us that injustice is still happening to this day. 
  • The bright sky represents hope – a hope that comes only after the truth has been faced.
A girl with long braids and raised arms, her face left blank, wearing a bright pink top and colourful banded skirt, standing in a tree trunk.
Close-up of brown tree roots winding through green ground.
A ring of arms in different skin tones, each hand gripping the next arm.
Orange T-shirt with the hand-lettered words "Every Child Matters" in black lettering.
Black turtle with a circle on its shell in white, yellow and red sections.
Roots reaching down toward red handprints, above red letters spelling MMIW, for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
A yellow sun with a thick black outline in an orange sky, with streaks of cloud.
The artist's signature, the initials KC in black cursive.


Reproductions of Kiely-Shai’s painting hang proudly in Trans-Northern’s offices.