B.C. art teacher, students displaced by wildfire paint mural to thank host community
CBC
An elementary school art teacher and her students who fled Fort Nelson, B.C., due to wildfire are working on a giant mural to thank the community of Fort St. John for their support.
One week after Fort Nelson residents were ordered to evacuate due to the fast-growing Parker Lake wildfire, they remain displaced with no sign of returning home — but many say an outpouring of support from local communities has helped them through the tough time.
Francine Freeman, an art teacher at the Chalo School on the Fort Nelson First Nation, says the mural is not only to thank the community, but is a way to keep her students busy during a challenging time.
"Sharing art with the community is super important," Freeman said on CBC's Radio West Thursday. "It's important to get people involved with things."
The mural is of Muncho Lake, which is located just north of Fort Nelson, and is being painted on a shipping container near the emergency support centre outside the North Peace Arena.
The design also included the names of several Fort St. John businesses that have offered services and support to evacuees.
Freeman said she hopes the mural will stay behind as a reminder to the locals of how they helped out in such a tough time.
"It's amazing to see the community come together for such an incredible experience," said Freeman.
"They can come visit later on and remember their time as not just being taken out of their homes … but doing something that is going to beautify their space for years to come."
Freeman said anyone is welcome to come by and help paint on Friday.
Several Fort St. John businesses have offered free services and items over the past week, from coffee to children's toys to workout classes.
Fort Nelson Mayor Rob Fraser thanked the community in a Wednesday town meeting.
"It's not easy when you drop 3,500 people into a small community," he said.
"They're welcoming our residents, they're trying to make you comfortable … we know we'd do the same thing if they came our way."
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